Every Stamp Is a Thing of Beauty, Education, Says Official
VIJAYAWADA: Philately is a combination of art and science. The unique designs on stamps speak about their value by encapsulating a wide range of subjects, said B V Sudhakar, chief postmaster general, Andhra Pradesh Circle.
The three-day Andhra Pradesh Postal Philately Exhibition (APPEX-2014) was inaugurated by Sudhakar on July 24 at Vedika Function Hall in the city. Special booklets and covers on Lepakshi handicrafts were released by Sudhakar on the occasion.
Speaking after releasing special covers here Friday, Sudhakar said every stamp was an aesthetic one by its colour, size, shape and elegance. “It takes one to one-and-a-half year to prepare a stamp,” he added.
He said that rare stamps collected by philatelists were sold out for several crores of rupees and the market value of 1,000 stamps, which were collected at the time of Independence, was `3-4 crore.
In order to create a philatelic awareness, school students all over the state would be taken to their nearest post offices on August 1. There were 68 philatelic centres and 1,111 philatelic counters across the country.
The exhibition showcased 378 frames of stamps on various themes - Cinema, science, sports, railways, animals, independence, tourism and educational institutions to mention a few.
The world’s first adhesive postage stamp, Penny black and replicate of British Guinea stamp, which was sold at `57 crore is a special attraction at the exhibition.
More than 2,000 children from various schools in the city visited the exhibition. K Kavya, a seventh class student of Nalanda Vidya Niketan said that she got to know many new things about the Indian history through this expo.
Post manager general, Mails and Business Development, K Sandhya Rani, post master general, Vijayawada, M Sampath, post master general, Vishakhapatnam, Sharda Sampath and students from various schools participated.
HIGHLIGHTS OF EXPO
378 frames of stamps on various themes on display.
The market value of 1,000 stamps, which were collected at the time of Independence, now cost Rs 3-4 crore.
The world’s first adhesive postage stamp, Penny black and replicate of British guinea stamp, which was sold at Rs 57 crore are special attraction.
It takes one to one-and-a half-year to prepare a stamp.