People born in Dog years are idealistic and highly principled. They have strong beliefs and stand by their morals. To a Dog everything in life is either black or white, right on wrong, good or bad: there is no middle ground. Dogs hate injustice and disloyalty.

Dogs are champions of the downtrodden, loyal supporters of just causes, and totally self-sacrificing. They need a purpose in life in order to feel content and will often put the interests of others before their own. Alert, watching and perceptive. Dogs are cautious and rely on their instincts to pick just the right time to jump and make their mark. The fire element builds passion in Dogs.

Fire Dogs can balance the needs of others with their own and, as such, are less humble and more confident than most Dogs. They are charismatic, and can win support easily.The Fire Dog year commences on the 29th of this month and finishes February 17 next year. This year will see plenty of political action. Things veer suddenly towards a more liberal approach. A year, in fact, favourable to the Left, to grandiose schemes and to disinterested, generous acts. For children born this year it is better not to be born at night. Those who are ceaselessly on the alert, will stay that way for the rest of their lives.

Fig 1 Japanese ‘mihon’ lottery card

Many world postal administration now issue stamps and other philatelic material for the Chinese Lunar New year. Japan, however, was the first country to do so. as it commenced issuing stamps, back in December 1935. A break occurred from 1938-48 encompassing the war years. A single stamp was issued in December 1948. The first New Year Lottery postal cards were issued on 1st December 1949 and the first miniature sheet was issued on February 1, 1950. A miniature sheet and two lottery postal cards were then available for all subsequent issues.

Fig 2 1958 Japanese Miniature Sheet.

Japan’s first ‘Dog’ stamp and miniature sheet plus postal cards were issued on 20th December 1957 for the 1958 Year of the Dog. The stamp design featured a paper mache dog. However, while the stamps with some early exceptions (and a period from 1972-75) featured zodiac animals the lottery cards featured other designs. A ‘mihon’ (specimen – with zero numbers) of one of the cards, is shown in Figure 1. Every issued card has a number on the bottom of the card. The last two digits of this number (depending on the lottery draw) are the winning number, entitling the lucky owner to one of the many miniature sheets issued as the 5th Prize. The miniature sheets are not available for sale at post offices, they are only available as the fifth prize. The miniature sheet illustrated in Figure 2 was issued on January 20, 1958. On December 10, 1969, Japan issued a design depicting a dog-amulet made by the Hokki-ji, Nara for the 1970 Dog year, Scott 1021. In 1982 the third stamp was issued with the design featuring a local clay figure of Yamagata Prefecture Prefecture (Scott 1486). The 1994 issue consisted of two stamps, miniature sheet, two lottery cards and the fourth issue of lottery stamps (Scott 2221/2224).

Fig 3 1983 P.R.C. Booklet Cover

The Peoples Republic of China issued its first Lunar New stamp on February 13, 1980. Its first Year of the Dog issue included a New Year booklet (Scott 1764) issued on January 5 1982. It is interesting to note that the booklet pane was printed using both the engraved and photogravure printing methods. The booklet cover is featured in Figure 3.

Fig 4 1994 Hong Kong

Hong Kong issued its first Lunar New Year stamps on January 28, 1970 for the Dog year. The design featured ‘Chow’ dogs. Hong Kong stopped issuing their Lunar New Year stamp issues from 1979 – 1986 so there was no Dog issue for 1982. However, the Post Office commenced the series again in 1994 with a set of four stamps (Scott 689-92). Scott 689 is shown in Figure 4.

Fig 5 1994 Korea with matching postmark

Korea also commenced issuing ‘Year of the Dog’ stamps’ back in 1970. The first issue consisted of two stamps on December 11,1969 with designs of toy dogs and a lattice pattern (Scott 697/8). The 1982 stamps had designs of a camellia and dog plus children playing (Scott 1283/4). The 1994 designs (Scott 1479/50) included a stuffed toy puppy and the dog illustrated in the stamp and New Year commemorative postmark featured in Figure 5.

Christmas Island issued its first ever New Year stamps and miniature sheet for the 1994 Dog year (Scott 35819). The stamp designs comprised a small dog of indeterminate breed called ‘Mickey’ and a Pekingese, a breed often associated with China. The miniature sheet is featured in Figure 6.

Fig 6 1994 Christmas Island

The Republic of China commenced its Lunar New Year stamp issues in 1968. The first ‘Dog’ set of stamps and miniature sheet were issued on December 1, 1969 with a charming design of a pair of Pekingese dogs. In 1982 another set of dog stamps and miniature sheet with a schematic design (Scott 2273/4) were issued. A stylised design was selected for the set of 1994 stamps (Scott 2930/31). This year’s R.O.C design features the work of two stamp designers – the two stamps designed by Miss Wu Jen-fang and the miniature sheet by Mr. Hung-tu Ko as shown in Figure 7. The three different dogs featured on the sbeet were chosen to express group harmony and to convey to society best wishes for peace, health and happiness. ROC normally issues a set of New Year Postal Cards but as yet I have not received confirmation of their issue.

Fig 7 R.O.C Miniature sheet

This year there will no doubt be flood of Chinese Lunar New Year Chinese issues. Remember you do not need to purchase them all. Personally I limit my collection to those countries that have been issuing Lunar New Year stamps and philatelic material for thirty years or more plus Singapore and Christmas Island.

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Figure 1: “lromote Wild Cat”, Japan 1974

Figure 2: A Tabby and a Siamese shown together on a stamp from the Great Britain 1995 set of 5, Scott 1587

Figure 3: A Burmese cat is depicted on New Zealand 1998, Scott 1485; as shown on the maximum card.

During the Middle Ages, the cat was seen as a symbol of evil in Europe and was killed in great numbers. Wiping out so many cats is believed to have led to an increase in the rat population and contributed to the spread of the Black Death.

In the 1600s cats began to regain their popularity as their value again was recognised. In the following centuries cats moved to other parts of the world as people spread across the globe. In recent years many countries have issued “Endangered Species or Nature Conservation stamps” e.g. Japan issued a stamp in 1974 featuring the “Iromote Wild Cat”. The stamp (Japan 1974, Scott 1170), is shown in Figure 1 and the fast day commemorative cancel for the issue depicts the cat lying down.

The New Zealand Health stamps of 1983 (Scott B115-117) provide a good introduction into the difference breeds of cats. The issue depicts a Tabby, a Siamese and a Blue Persian. The name “Tabby” was probably derived from a type of silk originally made in Baghdad. Pedigree “tabbies” must conform to a particular pattern of stripes and bars. They usually have a ‘spectacles’ pattern around the eyes and a ‘M’ on the forehead. Figure 2 features a Tabby and a Siamese shown together on a stamp from the Great Britain 1995 set of 5 (Scott 1587).

Figure 4: “Thinking of You” greetings booklet in 1991 that featured ginger cats (Scott 1033-1038) in New Zealand.

Figure 5: “Blue Persian” 1968 Hungarian issue, Scott 1880-87

Though associated with Thailand, Siamese have been known in Europe for centuries. It is well known this breed of cat has a character of its own. One of the most attractive set of cat stamps was that issued by Thailand in 1971, (Scott 572-575), showing various types of Siamese. Check also the miniature sheet issued by Thailand for Thaipex 95 (Scott 1617- 1620). that includes Burmese, Khoa Manee sad Korat breed as well as a seal point Siamese. A Burmese cat is depicted on New Zealand 1998 (Scott 1485) as shown on the maximum card illustrated in Figure 3. Burmese cats have soft and gentle voices and make loving pets.

Ginger cats are my favourite and the 30p of the Great Britain 1995 issue (Scott 1588) features an attractive ginger cat as does the Christmas gift pack of the 1985 Pantomime issues (Scott 1124-28). Scott 1128 features an actor as a pantomime cat. New Zealand issued a ‘Thinking of You” greetings booklet in 1991 that featured ginger cats (Scott 1033-1038). The booklet pane is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6: “Owl and the Pussy Cat” The”Nonsensical Drawings by Edward Law” issue of 1989 (Scott 29) Great Britain.

Persian cats with their long silky coats and majestic expressions are one of the most decorative cats. On the continent and in the United States, they are known as long-hairs and have a placid, yet sociable nature. White Persian cats should be pure white-with no coloured hairs at all. Their eyes may be either blue or orange. Various types of this breed are depicted in the 1968 Hungarian issue (Scott 1880-87). Illustrated in Figure 5 is a “Blue Persian” cat.

Most breeds of cats have been depicted on stamps issued by world postal administrations over the years, including Romania 1965 (Scott 1710-1728) United States 1988 (Scott 2371-75) and others. The 1982 United States Christmas issue (featuring pets) depicted a kitten and puppy playing together. The 1972 U.S. mail order stamp also featured a cat. However, a close check of stamp catalogues is necessary as sometimes the cat features as a secondary part of the design.

Great Britain featured the Cheshire cat from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland in its 1979 “Year of the Child” issue, Scott 874. The “Nonsensical Drawings by Edward Leaf” issue of 1989, (Scott 29) featured two cat stamps: the 32p “C is for Cat” an alphabet book character and 19p “Owl and the Pussy Cat” – stamp and postmarked featured in Figure 6.

Figure 7: 1980 Colombia Christmas issue “The Seven Lives of a Cat” – the airmail stamp of the issue (Scott C694).

Cats in Fairy Tales have featured prominently on world stamps. Scenes from Puss in Boots appeared on the issues of Hungary 1960 (Scott 1341); Monaco 1978 (Scott 1116) and Poland 1968 (Scott 1569). A British pictorial slogan cancel Puss in Boots was issued in 1978 and a slogan featuring Dick Whittington and his Cat was issued at a later date. A scene from the Arabian Nights featuring cats is shown on Hungary 1965 (Scott 1716-1724). Bulgaria 1964 (Scott 1435) featured a cat in a scene from The Big Turnip and Czechoslovakia 1968, a cat from the Spellbound Castle. The 1980 Colombia Christmas issue featured The Seven Lives of a Cat. The airmail stamp of the issue (Scott C694). depicted a cute cat going to brush its teeth as illustrated in Figure 7. Great Britain featured The Tale of Tom Kitten in The Little Books section of The Story of Beatrix Potter stamp booklet issued about July 1993.

I used Compton’s Encyclopaedia 1995 version and the American Topical Association Handbook No. 73 Fairy Tales & Folk Tales on Stamps by Paul G. Partington as a research basis for this article.

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Although many train services have disappeared for compelling political or economic, reasons largely due to the emergence of air transportation over longer distances, still others have adapted and survived to become listed as well known tourist services for a variety of reasons.

For almost a century, the story of The Orient Express was inextricably woven into the tempestuous history of Europe. Its very name is redolent with fame and riches, spies and diplomats and the romance of the mysterious East. The most famous train ever to operate, the Express spanned a continent and became not only the wonder of railroad engineers, but the setting for novels, films, television features and sensational news stories.

A celebrated dancer, Margaretha Gertrud Zelle, who achieved world wide notoriety as “Mata Hari” the most dangerous woman spy, contributed to the popular designation of the Orient Express as “The Mystery Train”. She frequently travelled on the train, often as a spy for Germany in World War I. Shown in Figure 1 is one of set of 4 souvenir sheets (Scott 238), depicting Mata Hari, a poster of the Orient Express and a border scene. Check also Cook Islands 1985 (Scott 865), Korea 1984 (Scott SGN 243-5), Lesotho 1984 (Scott 453), and Romania 1983 (Scott 3165).

It was back in 1858 that the first plans for a “Trans-Siberian Railway” were promulgated linking Moscow and European Russia with the Pacific Coast of Siberia. Official approval was eventually given in 1891. Such was the size of the task faced by the Russians in the construction of the railroad that although work began in 1891, it was not completed until 1905. One of the most interesting aspects of this railway is its vast number of bridges, large and small, as the line traverses a large number of valleys along the route.

After World War II, the main element of passenger services was provided by the “Trans-Siberian” express, which had special sleeping can and dining facilities. The 9612 km journey from Moscow to Vladivostok took about 10 days to complete, at an average speed of 40 km per hour.

In 2002, the Russian Republic (‘Rossija’) issued a miniature sheet for the train’s centenary, Scott 6683, illustrated in Figure 2, that featured the route and the train on a multi-truss bridge. Check also Grenada 1982 (Scott 1121), Hungary 1979 (Scott 2576-7); other countries’ issues also exist.

Fig. 2 – Trans-Siberian Express

Just after the end of World War II, the Japanese authorities planned the construction of a high speed straight railroad line between Tokyo and Osaka. It was not, however, until 1965 that these cities were linked by a full service. A special high speed locomotive called a “Shinkansen” train was built to service the line. Today the Tokyo-Osaka route is the busiest of several ‘Bullet’ train services with trains departing Tokyo at six minute intervals during peak period. Figure 3 illustrates the first ‘Bullet’ train Japan 1964 (Scott 827). Check also Japan 1972 (Scott 1109), and 1982 (Scott 1513).

Fig. 3 – Japanese Bullet Train

The name The Flying Scotsman began to dawn on the consciousness of Britons in 1923. It was in this year that the express service of the same name was inaugurated, covering the 650 km connecting London and Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The first express services on this mute back in the 1920s had a journey time of 10 hours 30 minutes, a figure that has been steadily reduced to today’s time of around 4 hours 30 minutes. Throughout its course it was originally hauled by steam locomotives, later by diesel-engine locomotives and now by electric locomotives. It passes through some of the most attractive scenery in the eastern part of England and also traverses some excellent pieces of civil engineering of the heyday of the Victorian Age. The Flying Scotsman has been depicted on the 17p value of a set of Great Britain stamps to commemorate the Great Western Railway 150th Anniversary, Scott 1093, shown in Figure 4.

Fig. 4 – The Flying Scotsman

Only one transcontinental journey is still operating across Canada from Vancouver to Toronto, a distance of 4467 km. The service operates 3 times a week as the “Canadian Pacific” and takes 3 days and 3 nights to cover the route, which is a combination of point-to-point transport and another which is more expensive, for the passengers travelling on the the train for its touring aspect . The train has been depicted on Niger 1992 (Scott 2471). Those prepared to pay a premium for more comfort enjoy superbly refurbished public cars, which includes club, dining and magnificent scenery from the observation units.

New Zealand issued a set of six stamps featuring its scenic trains on 6 August 1997 (Scott 1446-1465). Shown in Figure 5, is “The Overlander” connecting the North Island’s two main cities, Auckland and Wellington. This is the longest train journey in New Zealand providing scenic views of seascapes, farmland and the volcanic plateau.

Fig. 5 – New Zealand Overlander

The “Indian Pacific” journey across the Australian continent from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean first commenced in 1917. When the service first began the railroad distance was then reckoned at 4372 km. Today however, the line is fairly direct and by standard gauge track throughout, cutting the distance to 3961 km. Illustrated in Figure 6 is the prestamped envelope issued for the “75th Anniversary of the Trans Australia Railway” in 1992.

The Indian Pacific train crosses the Blue Mountains through magnificent scenery. While traversing the semi-desert Nullabor plain, the line contains a straight section of 478 km, which is the longest of its type in the world.

That brings me to the 75th Anniversary of “The Ghan”, which will take place on 2nd August this year. There were celebrations earlier in the year when the Alice Springs/Darwin section of the line was completed and the first train undertook the 3588 km journey from Adelaide to Darwin. An Australian prestamped envelope (# 030) was issued on October 9, 1980 to commemorate the opening of the Tarcoola-Alice Springs section of the line. The Australian Airmail Society Inc. advertised a set of attractive covers in February 2004 Stamp News to commemorate the first passenger train Adelaide/Darwin/Adelaide. The society has overprinted this set of up/down covers with a special cachet marking the Ghan’s 75th Anniversary at a cost of $27 set including postage or $14.50 for a single cover including postage, available from the Australian Air Mail Society, GPO Box 954 Adelaide 5001. (credit card facilities not available).

1992 Trans Australia Railway prestamped envelope

My research book was Famous Trains of the 20th Century by C. Chant, edited by John Moore ISBN 0 75370 2673. This article is an overview as many other countries have issued “Famous Train” sets.

If you would like further information concerning this article or thematics in general please write to me at 2 Springbank Rd, Panorama, SA enclosing a stamped addressed envelope.

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Bodiless, immortal spirits, angels have a place in the traditional Jewish and Mohammedan religions as well as in Christianity. Throughout the Bible angels appear at important moments, sometimes as protective guardians, but more often as a messenger from God. Angels have appeared in many guises on Christmas stamps enough to form a one frame exhibit, if any reader is so inclined. A simple plan could be: 1. The Christmas Story; 2. Christmas Carols and Hymns; 3. Musical Angels and 4. Christmas Decorations.

1. The Christmas Story
The story of the birth of Jesus Christ is contained in the gospels of apostles Matthew and Luke, two of the four Gospels of the New Testament. Both are brief, Matthew particularly so. Between them, however, Matthew and Luke provide the foundation from which artists over nearly 1,700 years have created the imagery of the Nativity with which we are now familiar. As there was no colourful background detail in either Gospel version, there was ample scope for additional embellishment to be given by others in both pictorial and written form.

The first angel to appear in the Christmas story (Luke’s Gospel) is the Angel Gabriel when he announced to Mary that she would give birth to the ‘Son of God’. There have been many stamps and items of postal stationery issued featuring the Annunciation and many of it items feature well known paintings. A pictorial problem which all artists painting the Annunciation have to overcome is how to paint an expressive gap. The subject calls for two figures meeting – yet not touching and for the passing from one to the other of a simple, but profound, message. “You shall bring forth a son and call his name Jesus”. Paradoxically, the gap beween the two figures of the Archangel Gabriel and Mary is the crucial part of the composition, because it is through that space that the holy message is passing. The space between them wiIl ideally contain objects or shapes which will help carry the eye gently across it from Gabriel to Mary. Often Gabriel carries white Iilies, or a vase of white lilies is in the background. The lily is the symbol of the Virgin’s purity and also an indication that the Annunciation took place in the spring.

There are many stamps that feature paintings by well known artists on ‘”The Annunciation” eg Spain 1956 (Scott 852), “The Annunciation” by Cavallini Vatican City 1956 any of C.25, 28 and 31. The Annunciation by da Vinci any of Nos. C.26, 29 and 32 of 1956 (Vatican City) and Vatican City 1956 any of C24, 27 and 30. 1962 Vatican City artist F Vakke C.45 and 46, 1969 C.33 and 34, artist Fra Angelico. An Hungarian issue of 1968 featured a painting by Bemardo Strozzi (1682- 1644) depicting Gabriel holding a lily. The Cavallini stamps mentioned above show Gabriel holding a lily as does Argentina 1944 (Scott 519). France 1970 (Scott 1273) features the “Annunciation” by a Primitive Painter of Savoy where the artist has used a scroll to separate the figures. See also Portugal 1962 (883-84). Other stamps featuring either ‘St Gabriel’ or ‘The Annunciation’ are listed in various world catalogues.

The second appearance relating to ‘angels’ (according to Luke’s Gospel) tells how the ‘Angel of the Lord’ appeared to the “shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night” of the birth of Jesus Christ. Then a multitude of angels proclaimed “Glory to God….towards men”. This scene has also been depicted in famous paintings as well as by modern stamp and postmark designers.

While not actually in the story, the ‘Virgin and Child’ are often depicted with angels. One of the favourite items in my Christmas collection is a Portuguese ‘Boas Festas’ card featuring the ‘Virgin with Baby Jesus’ surrounded by angels. 

There are also stamp designs showing ‘The Holy Family’ surrounded with angels, or angels surrounding the crib. See New Zealand 1968 (Scott 414), Monaco 1966 (Scott 630) and Vatican City 1960 (Scott 292-294) below.

The last time we hear of angels in the Christmas story (according to Matthew’s Gospel) is the angel waking Joseph and telling him to take Mary and the Babe and flee into Egypt. lssued stamps that feature this part of the story are Switzerland 1966 (Pro Patria issue Scott B356), Swaziland 1978 (Scott 315) and the Great Britain Christmas 1991 28p stamp.

2. Christmas Carols and Hymns
Angels sang the first carol at Christ’s Nativity. The word ‘carol’ comes from the old French term for a ring dance and many early carols were simply new words to old folk songs and dances. Carols were, and are, simple, joyful and memorable songs in the common tongue, their words homely and their images vivid and down to earth. Many of the most popular of today’s carols and hymns feature angels such as ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’, which has been shown on both stamps and postal stationery. Stamps I found in the catalogue were Christmas Island (SG 32), Ghana (SG 822-7), Montserrat (SG 415), New Zealand 1987, Guernsey MS (SG 821-92) and a Christmas 1988 British Aerogramme.

“Come All Ye Faithful” is a favourite hymn of Christmas Church services and is shown on Australia (SG 431), Ghana (SG 877) and Guernsey (MS 381-92) and a Gibraltar 1993 Christmas stamp. “Angels we have heard on high” was featured by Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1981 (Scott 75-77). “While shepherds watched their Flocks at Night’ is shown on St Vincent 1977 (SG 544-9), Chrisimas Island (Scott 208), Great Britain (SG 1202) and Guernsey (MS 381-92).

3. Musical Angels
Many Christmas issues feature angels playing various musical instruments such as the flute, the lyre, the lute, harp and trumpet. One of my favourite trumpeting angels is the one depicted on Uruguay 1980 (Scott 1090). Check also Peru 1961 (Scott 481 – trumpeting angels) and Peru 1979 (Scott 707), depicting an angel with lute. In 1977 Norway issued a lettersheet featuring an attractive angel with trumpet, while a 1980 Swedish booklet stamp feature an angel with trumpet. See also the 1993 Australian Christmas aerogramme which is very attractive. Great Britain issued an attractive set of stamps featuring angels playing various instruments. Check Great Britain 1975 (Scott 758-61) and San Marino 1988 Christmas which shows one angel with a violin and another with a mandolin. There are quite a number of musical angels listed in world catalogues.

4. Christmas Decorations
The Nurernberg Angel. For centuries, Christmas markets have been held in Germany during Advent and one of the most famous is “The Christ Child” market at Nuremberg wnich ranks as Germany’s oldest and most famous market, dating back to 1639. Originally a child dressed as Christmas Angel opened the market, but since 1948 a ‘Christ Child’ chosen every two years performs the opening ceremony. The ‘gold foil angel’ from Nuremberg has now almost become as much as a symbol of the Germans Christmas as the Christmas Tree itseif. Its origins are the subject of many conflicting legends. Nowadays, the angels are made in all shapes and sizes with flowing hair, delicately robes in gold foil, decorated with gold braid, the costume being remniscent of the 18th Century local Franconian peasant costume. Germany has issued a special postmark to commemorate the fair since the early 30s. A modern West German postal stationery item featuring a 1902 market and the angel has been issued probably around 1985.

Angels as Christmas tree decorations have beenhard to find, although a 1986 36c stamp of Panama (Scott 702), features a Christmas tree that appears to have an angel on its top. Costa Rica 1966 “Christmas Ornaments” issue featured an angel on Scott RA 29. Great Britain features a set of musical angels that appear to be decorations on its 1972 Christmas issue (Scott 680-682). Australia also issued a set of decorative angels in 1985 (Scott 967-970), while Finland issued a stamp in 1986 featuring angels with garlands.

The aerogrammes of both Australia and Great Britain feature angels either by themselves or as art of a nativity scene. I do not have the space to list the Higgins and Gage Catalogue numbers in this article. For those interested in collecting Christmas stamps, I would suggest joining the Christmas Philatelic Club of USA (affilatad with the Amencan Topical Association), Membership Chairman, Mr E Punkey 5630 N Greenwood Blvd, Spokane WA 99205-7535 USA or The COROS (Collectors of Religion on Stamps), C/- Verna Shackleton, 425 N Linwood Ave #110, Appleton WI 54914, USA. Both of these societies have interesting bi-monthly magazines that I have found to be excellent reference sources over the years. I would like to thank those readers who have written to me during the year and wish all readers a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful Christmas holiday season.

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My references were Compton’s Encyclopaedia CD Rom 1995 version; an article on “Chess” from Milton’s Teeth and Ovid’s Umbrella by M Olmert ISBN 0-684-80164-7 plus the ATA checklist.

1. History
The origin of chess is not clear. Legends abound, attributing its invention to the Biblical King Solomon, or to the Greek God Hermes, or to the Chinese mandarin Hansing. But it probably originated in India sometime around the 6th or 7th Century AD. From there the game crossed into Persia (now Iran), and then to Europe. The word chess is thought to be derived from ‘shah” the ‘Persian word for king, and the word checkmate from “shah mat”, meaning “The king is dead”.

The first documented reference to chess in literature was made in a Persian romance written in about 600AD. In the Middle Ages, collections of chess problems appeared in written form. One of the earliest books on chess ever printed was published in England. Written by a Dominican friar, Jacopo Dacciesole, before the year 1200, it was translated into English as The Game and Playe of Chess and printed by William Caxton. A woodcut from the book is depicted on Great Britain 1976 Scott 796. Another chess book by the author Alfonso X is depicted on Spain 1985 Scott 1293.

Chess had such a following that Shakespeare refers to the game 57 times, while his contemporary Thomas Middleton spent time in prison for writing a play called “A Game of Chess” (1624). Violence and death have something to do with the appeal of chess. There are countless examples of assassinations attempted and accomplished while a victim ponders over a chess move. And there is the legendary example of Charlot, son of Charlemagne who killed the son of a Danish warrior, using the chessboard itself as his fell weapon.

Actually, the popularity of chess is not hard to understand. Its play was reminiscent of the clash of armies, with their kings, knights, and foot soldiers. More important, the game also reflected the struggle up and down the medieval social structure: protection, promotion, misfortune, elimination, death and loss. Although it was essentially a mind game, it spelled carnage and mayhem.

2. The Game
Early chess took two forms. In the first, players contemplated long and hard over their moves; medieval commentators regularly complained about the interminable length of the games. In the second form, however, dice were used to speed up the moves, just as in backgammon. Much more frequent, then, were contemporary complaints about the use of dice with chess. In Italy in 1062AD Cardinal Damiani condemned chess, its play and wagering on its outcome. He seemed to regard it as just another dice game. The Cardinal was probably right to do so, for until 1475 the dice remained. A 13th Century chess game is featured on Hungary 1974 Scott 2289, part of a set of seven stamps issued to commemorate the 1974 21st Chess Olympiad in France. See Figure 1.

Figure 1. 13th Century chess game is featured on Hungary 1974 commemorating the 1974 21st Chess Olympiad in France.

The Chessboard
The chessboard is divided into 64 squares, alternately black and white (or black and red). The board is placed so that a corner with a white square is at each player’s right. The horizontal rows of squares are called ranks and the vertical rows files. To begin the game, the pieces are arranged from left to right on each players’ first rank. An inlaid chessboard is shown on Lebanon 1973 Scott C690 and is also featured on other stamps listed in catalogues. A chessboard is used in the background of Figures 1, 2 and 6.

The board is a miniature battlefield. Two opposing armies, White and Black, consist of sixteen chessmen: eight pieces – a king. a queen, two bishops, two knights, two rooks (also called castles) – and eight pawns, or foot soldiers. The queen’s position always works out so that the piece is on its own colour. The pieces have been illustrated on various stamps and stationery. Shown in Figure 2 is part of a Russian prestamped envelope of 1991 that depicts chessmen in the left hand motif. Among stamps issued depicting pieces are Russia 1962, Scott 2676; Central Africa 1979, Scott C208; Congo 1982, Scott 670-2; Dijbouti 1980, Scott 535-6; Germany 1972, B491-4; Mongolia 1981, Scott 1202-8 and Sweden 1985, Scott 1443.

Figure 2. Russian prestamped envelope of 1991.

The Moves
Each different chessman has its own special way of moving and of capturing enemy pieces. A capture is made by moving into a square occupied by the enemy. All captured pieces are removed from the board. The most valuable piece is the king but is rather restricted in its moves. The most powerful piece is the queen, which can move in any direction. A bishop moves in any direction, but only in a diagonal path. The rook may move any number of squares but only in a vertical or horizontal direction. The knight’s move is curious – one square vertically or horizontally and then one square diagonally in any direction. A pawn may only move forward and only one square at a time except on its first move, when it may advance two squares. The object of the game is to make a successful attack upon the enemy king. When one of the kings cannot avoid being captured, that king is checkmated and the game is over. A hand moving a chessman is featured on France 1974, Scott 1413 – Figure 3. One of the most famous set of chessmen is that of 67 walrus ivory chessmen now in the British Museum and originally found on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

Figure 3. A hand moving a chessman is featured on France 1974.

Chess games with human beings acting as the chessmen have been played in some countries. Live chess at Marcostica was depicted on Italy 1981, Scott 1455. In 1985, Japan issued a set of scenic postal stationery cards, one of which depicted “Spectator Chess” at the Tendo Hot Springs, Yamagata prefecture shown in Figure 4, Japanese chess (shogi) is different to western chess in that it is played with forty pentagonal pieces on a board divided into 81 squares (nine by nine). What the card shows might be called “spectator chess” Each square on a small chessboard had been converted to a tatami mat. Each chess piece has been greatly enlarged and mounted on a pedestal to be moved from mat to mat by a man or woman sitting on a tiny chair. The Republic of China depicted workers playing Wei-Chi (chess) in 1984, Scott 2428.

Figure 4. Japan issued a set of scenic postal stationery card depicting “Spectator Chess”.

3. Tournament Play and Famous Players
The first international chess tournament was played during the Great Exhibition (Crystal Palace Exhibition) in London in 1851. Cards from this exhibition could be used in a chess collection. The World Chess Federation, officially FIDE, organised in 1924 in Switzerland, governs all chess events and its 60th Anniversary was commemorated by Barbados in 1984, Scott 632-5. Many stamps and postal stationery items have been produced by world countries to commemorate the various tournaments. Albania issued a stamp depicting a chess player and clock in 1983, Scott 2071. Switzerland 1968, Scott 489 commemorated the 18th Olympiad at Lugano and there are many others listed in world catalogues. Shown in Figure 5 is the Italian postal card imprint and pictorial cancellation issued to commemorate the World Chess Championship at Piscachhi Merano in 1981.

Figure 5. Italian postal card imprint and pictorial cancellation issued to commemorate the World Chess Championship at Piscachhi Merano in 1981.

Famous chess players depicted on stamps include Karpov and chess pieces Ceylon 1984, Scott 698; Iceland 1972, Scott 442 features Fisher/Spassky at the world championship; Mali 1979, Scott C368-71 depicts various “Grand Masters” as does Mongolia 1981, Scott 1202-8 and Cuba 1976, Scott M2117-21. Cuba issued a set of stamps and the stamp booklet which is featured in Figure 6 honouring the famous Cubin player Jose R CapabIanca (1888-1942) in 1982, Scott 2709-12. J Capablanca was a Cuban master reaching his reputation when very young. He became the third World Chess Champion when defeating Emanuel Lasker in 1921 in Havana City. Chess is very popular in Cuba and the country is usually in the top eight rankings in world championships.

Figure 6. 1982 Cuban stamp booklet honouring the famous Cubin player Jose R CapabIanca (1888-1942)

I have been unable to find the reason why St Therese is known as the patron saint of chess. Perhaps if any reader has information on this point, they may like to write and let me know. St Therese has certainly been featured on quite a few stamp issues such as Brazil 1982, Scott 1923; Columbia 1970, Scott 793 and 1982, Scott 903; France 1982, Scott 1846; Luxembourg 1982, Scott 674; Peru 1983, Scott 783; Spain 1971, Scott 1672; plus others in world catalogues.

Below: several stamps featuring the game of chess.

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I joined The Australian Commonwealth Collectors Club of New South Wales in 1969 and noticed in the July 1969 ACCC Bulletin Vol.8 #9 an article, “Australian Space Tracking Stations and Philately”  by Frank D. Lower.  The article listed the tracking stations in operation in Australia at the time. In a separate paragraph it added the statement that the author thought many, if not all the tracking station administrations, would apply an ‘official’ rubber stamp cachet or printed label to covers for collectors and post them, if possible, on the day the particular station was engaged in a space project.

At the time my two eldest children were in primary school and very interested in the Apollo flights, which were receiving newspaper coverage at the time. As they were both collecting stamps, I decided to write to the tracking stations for covers – the result being that while the children were initially interested in receiving the material, eagerly watching the letterbox, it was mother that eventually made ‘space’ one of her main collecting interests.

In 1960, Australia entered into an initial 10-year agreement with the United States to support the expanding programme of the newly formed National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA).  The U.S. agreed to meet the costs of the envisaged program, but Australia contributed $140,000 a year, which was the cost of local support at the time.

After the Explorer and Vanguard projects, Australia provided support for NASA’s manned Mercury space flight.  A tracking station was established at Muchea, near Perth, in 1960 and Woomera radar at Red Lake (SA), was adapted for the purpose in the same year. Both stations supported NASA’s first manned orbital flights by astronaut John Glenn in 1962 and the subsequent Mercury flights. About the same time NASA started preparing for a programme of Deep Space exploration, which resulted in the establishment of a station at Island Lagoon, near Woomera, specially designed for very long-range communication.

Island Lagoon
The first facility at Island Lagoon was the Minitrack system. It was moved there from Woomera Range G in about 1961. Soon after, Australia’s first Deep Space Station (DSS 41), the first deep-space station to be established outside the United States, was completed.  The site was located in a natural depression near the Island Lagoon dry lake bed, about 56 kilometres south of the range head of the Woomera Rocket Range. The facility employed more than 100 professional, technical and administrative staff who lived at Woomera township.

The tracking station participated in various projects involving spacecraft venturing more than 16,000 kilometres from Earth, including the first successful mission to another planet – the flyby of Venus by Mariner 2 during December 1962. It also played a key role in the Ranger and Lunar Orbiter missions to the Moon.

The station ceased operations on 22 December 1972, as part of a consolidation of NASA station facilities. After the Australian Department of Supply determined that the cost of transporting the antenna to a new, more accessible location for radio astronomers would be prohibitive, the antenna was dismantled and sold for scrap in 1973. Illustrated in Figure 1 (above) is an Island Lagoon cover for the Apollo 13 mission 11-17 July 1970, ironically postmarked during the troubled flight on 13 July.

Carnarvon
Officially opened in 1964, the Carnarvon station was built as part of the worldwide network of space tracking stations. It was the second of five established in Australia dedicated to manned space flights and scientific experiments.  The station was built for the Gemini programme after the conclusion of the successful Mercury flights and replaced the Muchea Tracking Station (Project Mercury)  near Perth.

The site was selected after extensive investigation into localities in both Western Australia and the Northern Territory and proved to be the most suitable location for both the Gemini and Apollo programmes.  In both programmes the orbital paths of the spacecraft were nearer to the equator than was the case with Project Mercury. At its height, about 180 professional, technical and administrative people were involved in the day to day operational and maintenance services at the Carnarvon Tracking Station.   The station was closed after Apollo 17, in 1973. The cover shown in Figure 2 (above) is cancelled at Carnarvon on 7 December 1972, the launch date of Apollo 17, the last manned flight to the moon.

Tidbinbilla
The driving force for the hurried establishment of the Tidbinbilla Station was the need for additional support for NASA’s rapidly expanding deep space programme.  In particular NASA needed support from our longitude for the first probe to Mars, Mariner 4 in late 1964, while still supporting the Ranger lunar exploration project from the Island Lagoon station at Woomera.

The Tidbinbilla Deep Space Communication DSS 42 complex was opened in late 1964 in the countryside south west of Canberra. Digital systems for transmission of data, which are common today, were relatively new in 1964, but digital systems were used by the first spacecraft supported by Tidbinbilla. The cover illustrated in Figure 3 (below) marks the Apollo 12 mission, 11 – 24 November 1969.

A significant development for Tidbinbilla was the completion of a 64-metre diameter antenna in 1973. Information from CSIRO’s 64-metre radio telescope at Parkes was used in the design of the NASA instrument and this is evident from the family resemblance between the two antennas. This big dish was designated DSS 43 and dwarfs all other elements of the complex. The station has been updated continually with new equipment to improve the data gathering capability and to automate many of the operations.

Orroral Valley
The Orroral Valley site for a tracking station to support earth orbiting satellites, as part of NASA’s Spacecraft Tracking and Data Acquisition Network  (STADAN),  was selected in late 1963 south of Canberra. Construction work was completed in May 1965 and the station was formally opened on 24 February 1966. The main requirement of this station, as distinct from the long-range communication task of Tidbinbilla, was to be able to switch quickly from supporting one satellite to another, often with quite different characteristics. The station supported the early tests of the reusable Space Shuttle which undertook its first orbital flight in 1981. The station was closed in 1984. Shown in Figure 4 (below) is a cover marking the Apollo 17 mission, 7-19 December 1972.

Honeysuckle Creek
The station construction was completed in December 1966 at a site south west of Canberra and was dedicated by Prime Minister Holt on 17 March 1967. Honeysuckle Creek became formally known as Deep Space Station 44 when it was transferred to the Deep Space Network in 1973.   It supported Skylab in 1973-74 and Apollo-Soyuz in 1975. In 1975 Honeysuckle Creek was modified to be a standard Deep Space Network station, using some of the equipment originally from Island Lagoon DSS 41. The station remained in configuration supporting various Deep Space Missions until its closure in 1981. The antenna was eventually dismantled and re-assembled at Tidbinbilla as DSS 46 and it has been supporting near-earth Missions (including Shuttle) since mid 1984 (in lieu of Orroral Valley). Shown in Figure 5 is a cover from the Apollo 17 mission mentioned above. Unfortunately, one of the cachets has partially obscured the Canberra slogan cancel.

Parkes
The A.N.A.R.O telescope was used for past NASA missions – notably for reception of Apollo 11’s T.V. pictures of the first moon landing, and the emergency contact after the accident on Apollo 13. The station also applied a coloured cachet for the other Apollo flights.  Illustrated in Figure 6 (below) is the circular cachet for Apollo 15, 26 July – 7 August 1971.

Changes in technology and tracking requirements over the years have seen the closure of all but the Tidbinbilla complex, although a mobile laser tracking facility is presently located in Yarragadee, Western Australia.

The Tidbinbilla complex, as part of NASA’S Deep Space Network (DSN), complements the tracking stations in Goldstone, California, and Madrid, Spain. Together the stations maintain constant monitoring of the various spacecraft. Each set of receiving ‘dishes’ takes over from the previous station as the Earth rotates. Today Tidbinbilla is used for all-important phases of planetary encounters and shuttle/space station missions. Information from all of the DSN stations is sent, by landline and satellites links, to the headquarters of the network, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL) in Pasadena, California.

I visited the sites of Island Lagoon and Carnarvon back in 1997 when on a tour of Central and Western Australia. The site of Island Lagoon was completely bare with no sign of its once being a vital cog in deep space exploration. Some foundations existed at the Carnarvon site and part of the instrument panels have been installed in the Carnarvon Tourist Bureau, that had information leaflets and books on the history of the station for sale at that point in time.  The cacheted covers shown here are part of the history of Australia’s involvement with the pioneer period of manned space travel incorporating Gemini, Apollo and Skylab missions from 1960-1975. All the covers shown are acceptable for inclusion in a F.I.P. Astrophilatelic exhibit.

Reference articles included:  
Space Tracking Stations by R.A. Leslie Bee;  Canberra Deep Space Communication complex correspondence; information leaflets collected on visits to the Tidbinbilla complex in the year 2000; We Reach the Moon by John Noble Wilford and published by the New York Times in 1969.

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For many years, thematic philately was scorned by traditionalists and probably still is in some quarters. However, there are quite a few members of societies who are thematic collectors, many of whom have exhibited at national and international Exhibitions. Indeed one member of this Society achieved L.G. 97 points at a recent F.I.P. international philatelic exhibition.

According to my research, the first thematic article was written by H.H. Higgins and appeared in a British stamp magazine in June 1863 and the first thematic collection was exhibited overseas in 1908. In 1920 Stanley Gibbons offered thematic stamp packets for sale with stamps on various topics including famous persons, zoology, maps, heraldry and history.

The first thematic exhibits were shown in this country at the exhibition held in conjunction with the 2nd Australasian Philatelic Congress held in Melbourne in 1921. (The catalogue cover is shown in Figure 1). According to the catalogue list under ‘General Collections’, Division 9 were eight collections of stamp only, that consisted of five Zoological, two Historical, plus one entry each of Portrait, Statues & Monuments and Transport. Seven of the exhibits were from Victoria, while one was from New South Wales.

Figure 1.

In the 1920s and 1930s there were two leading thematic collectors. One was the well-known philatelist Mr. A.A. Rosenblum of Victoria who had a ‘Shakespearian Collection’. The collection illustrated Shakespeare’s quotations with stamps and was entered into the 1921 exhibition. The other was Mr.Whitsed Dovey of N.S.W. who had entered eight volumes of ‘Zoological’ material that included local and fiscal stamps In the year 1949, the American Topical Association was incorporated. Since that time, the Association has grown, so that it now has 6000 members in 90 countries and has 51 Study Units of various themes. In the 1960s and 1970s monthly advertisements promoting the Association appeared in Stamp News. It was in this way that I first learnt about thematic collecting; as I am sure did many other Australian thematic collectors.)

Thematic philately grew slowly in Australia and thematic collections were exhibited under the “Educational’ Division or Class up until the Second World War. The first exhibition to use the word ‘Thematic’ was Anpex 55 held that year in Adelaide. The Thematic Society of Australia was founded in Sydney in 1979 and the Thematic Society of Victoria, led by Mr. David Plummer was founded about the same time.

I entered a thematic collection into Australian and New Zealand exhibitions held at intervals during the 1970s. However, my first experience as a thematic judge was at Sydpex 80, where there were 54 thematic exhibits entered from both Australia and New Zealand. Looking back, I think judging back then was a pleasant duty compared to the present time. Full albums of the whole collection were entered by the exhibitor to the exhibition, but, only one frame of the material was actually exhibited. The judges were grouped into their various classes, sat at tables and perused the exhibitors’ albums. In Sydney, for the first and only time, Thematic philately was nominated as Class 1 – Topical philately – (Subject, Theme and Purpose of Issue Collections) divided into two sections as follows:

Section (a) A general and/or specialised collection of stamps only and

Section (b) Collections of stamps, postal history, an postal stationery (representing Subject and/or theme and Purpose of Issue.

I was assigned to judge Section (a). Some of the entries would not be regarded as thematic by today’s standards. For example three vermeil medals (the highest awards) were awarded respectively to “Medicine Revenues” (a revenue collection), “Disaster Philately”, (Mainly postal history) and “Century of Change” (a collection of covers). Looking back on judging then it seems that we had more time to inspect collections and discussions were leisurely and interesting. Much better from a judge’s point of view, than walking and standing in front of the frames at all hours of the day and night, especially in the thematic section where time always seemed to be at a premium. However, frame exhibitions are much better from an exhibitor’s view and visitors to the exhibition can view the whole exhibit.

During the Sydpex 80 exhibition, the Thematic Society of Australia, (founded in 1979), organised a meeting for all exhibitors who were present at the exhibition. Those collectors who attended at the meeting approved a sub-committee for the writing of a booklet “Guidelines for exhibiting Topical Collections”, which was subsequently published in 1982. This book and the Sydpex 80 catalogue are the only times the word ‘topical’ has been used officially in connection with Australian thematic philately.

After Anpex 82 was held in Brisbane, a Thematic Study Group was formed in Melbourne of all the thematic exhibitors in that state under the leadership of Miss Mary Lambe, who was one of the well-known thematic exhibitors and lecturers of that era Mr John Sinfield, later took over the group, to be succeeded by Mrs. Marion Smith. However, the group ceased operation in 2002.

I was an executive member of the Australian Stamp Promotion Council Inc., (forerunner of the A.P.F.) in 1981-83; at the time Australia became a member of the Federation of International Philately. Because of my involvement with Thematics I was asked to become our country’s delegate to the F.I.P Thematic Commission.

In my research into the Commission and competitive thematic philately overseas, I found that thematics had changed radically since I had first begun collecting my thematic material some thirty-five years previously. Let me take you back to 1959 when the American Topical Association (inc. 1949) defined Topical collecting as the collecting of stamps and cancellations for the subject of design, rather than the country of issuance or the type of postal services rendered. In 1966 this definition was refined.

Now topical collecting was the formation of a collection of stamps and postal markings selected and arranged for subject of design or theme suggested.

Theme was defined as a narration or development of an idea, carried out throughout the collection.
Later the Federation of International Philately (F.I.P.), based in Europe, after much discussion among the international member countries, eventually agreed on the term ‘thematic’ in French and English and ‘motive’ in German and established three classes for exhibition purposes.

1. Thematic – which develops a theme, tells a story or illustrates and idea through stamps and other philatelic material.

2. Purpose of Issue – to commemorate events, anniversaries, omnibus issues of countries leg Coronations, U.P.U., Europa, Olympics etc. fall into this category.

3. Subject – a collection based on the subject that appears on stamps: arranged countrywise or in chronological order of issue. F.I.P. subsequently ruled that thematic philately should be composed of two classes,

1) Thematic collections and

2) Subject collections. The subject collection was defined as to include all stamps and philatelic documents related to a subject or purpose of issue; its presentation was to be in a systematic order and/or in chronological order.

This led to controversy ‘topical (subject)’ vs. ‘thematic’ that lasted for some years.
One of the best definitions given regarding ‘topical (subject)’ vs. ‘thematic’ was given by Mrs. Joan Bleakly a well known American topical collector in the American philatelist (Apr., 1986. p.307):

a) A topical exhibit on “Domestic Cats” should contain stamps, covers, die proofs, essays, postmarks, cancellations, errors etc. depicting only domestic cats.

b) A thematic exhibit i.e. “The History of Domestic Cats” should include cats in ancient Egyptian mythology, fairy tales, folklore, the various breeds and how they were named, their habits and peculiarities.

Figure 2.

Australian Commissioners were appointed to two F.I.P. international philatelic exhibitions in 1983 – Braziliana 83, held in Rio de Janeiro, a full F.I.P. exhibition and Tembal 83, a specialised F.I.P. thematic exhibition held in Switzerland. The cover of the ‘Tembal 83’ catalogue is shown in Figure 2 for the first time Australian thematic exhibits were exhibited internationally at both shows. Ausipex 84 was the first F.I.P. philatelic exhibition to be held in Australia, (the cover of the catalogue us shown in Figure 3.) It was also the first F.I.P. exhibition to have 8 medal levels, Large Gold, Gold, Large Vermeil, Vermeil, Large Silver, Silver, Silver Bronze and Bronze. The exhibition was held in Melbourne from 21-30 September 1984 and contained over 3,500 frames of philatelic material on display. Class C 12, was titled “Thematic and Subject Collections” and the judging team of five, of which I was a member, judged all collections.

Fifty-seven thematic exhibits were entered from all over the world (including thirteen Australian), The major awards and special prizes were all awarded to overseas exhibits, however all the Australian entries received medals and one received a Vermeil medal, the highest award given to an Australian exhibit to that time.

According to an approximate break down of competitive displays there were:

317 frames of thematic philately. It was an eye-opener for Australian thematic collectors to see the depth of material on show. The President of the F.I.P. Thematic Commission at the time, Dr. Giancarlo Morolli, gave a lecture and slide display for the Australian thematic collectors present at the show. More than fifty collectors attended and this slide display (this was later published as a set of videos produced by the then Australian Stamp Promotion Council). Dr Morolli also walked interested exhibitors and collectors through the exhibits in the frames.

In 1985 F.I.P. Special Regulations for the Evaluation of Thematic Exhibits were passed in which both Subject and Thematic merged under the broad heading “Thematic”. The new regulations were applied for the first time in June 1988 at Finlandia 88. Incidentally thematic philately was the first class to introduce a title and plan page as an integral part of every exhibit, a criterion which every F.I.P. class has now adopted. All Australian and F.I.P. exhibitions since then have listed the class under the heading “Thematic Philately”.

Figure 3.

Stampex 86, was the first Asian Regional International Philatelic Exhibition to be staged in Adelaide from 4-10 August, under auspices of F.I.A.P. and with the patronage of the F.I.P. It was also the first Australian exhibition to be judged under the new FIP thematic regulations passed in 1985. Class 8 – Thematic Philately – consisted of 69 entries including 51 Australian, 9 from New Zealand, 2 from China, 5 from India and 1 from Indonesia. The first large vermeil medal awarded to an Australian thematic collection was given at this exhibition.

Since 1986 Australian National Exhibitions have been held at regular intervals. The standard of thematic exhibits has improved gradually over the years. As an example one Large Gold, one gold and four vermeils were awarded at the last national exhibition held in Perth last year. At the present time there are two thematic societies operating within Australia:

a) The Thematic Society of Australia, P.O. Box 17 Oatlands, N.S.W. 2117. The society publishes a quarterly magazine Themes.

b) Thematics, Queensland, 18 Coolcrest St. Wynnum Qld. 4178. This society publishes a magazine and exhibit copies bi-monthly.

When the thematic class first came into being internationally, gold medals were hard to obtain. However, as thematic philately has now grown in strength of material and is flourishing in all countries, gold and large gold medals are now frequently awarded at international exhibitions, plus there is generally a thematic entry in the F.I.P. Championship Class. Our own Australian exhibitors have regularly gained high medals at recent international exhibitions. For the first time a thematic collection ‘Australasian Birdlife’ was awarded the Grand Prix International at the F.I.P. International Philatelic Exhibition, Philakorea 2002.

I hope this article has given members a brief insight into the growth of thematic philately in our country.

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