- In a brand-new book, retired Indian Forest Service officer, M. Lokeswara Rao has actually put together info about Himalayan birds included on Indian stamps.
- An experienced philatelist, the author has actually been a forester and invested several years in northeast India, near the Himalayas.
- The topic of birds is amongst the most popular thematic topics when it concerns stamps.
When Rowland Hill developed and brought into usage the very first postage stamp, the Penny Black, in England in 1840, he would barely have actually thought of that in developing a gadget for advance payment for communicating letters, he was likewise sowing seeds for a massive enthusiasm – philately. India launched its very first stamp, the Scinde Dawk, in 1852. Legend has it that the practice of gathering stamps stemmed with a whimsical concept of a dowager to embellish the interior walls of her home with utilized stamps. It quickly grew in appeal even as a growing number of countries embraced the system and provided stamps. As the variety of stamps increased worldwide, throughout the years, collectors started to try to find stamps on particular topics and thematics as a measurement of philately happened accepted.
By the 1970s, thematic collections were seen in all the exhibits. Thematics varies from the standard method of gathering stamps; collectors are totally free to choose any subject they like. Since 1985, thematics collections have actually been controlled by The Federation Internationale de Philatelic (FIP). Noted author on philately, Margret Hatchet, has actually been priced quote as stating, “Thematic collection is not a reference work illustrated by stamps, but a stamp collection highlighted by thematic knowledge, the theme of which should be apparent throughout.” There is likewise a journal, Topical Time, dedicated to this topic.
This book under evaluation, Himalayan Birds on Stamps, is on one such philatelic style, the birds of the Himalayas. The book refers to 2 worlds of understanding – philately and ornithology. The author of this book M. Lokeswara Rao has actually been a forester all his life and has actually invested several years in northeast India, near the Himalayas, the topic of his research study. He is a skilled philatelist whose profession has actually remained in the forests. In both disciplines, the author has a company grip and is comfy. So, he discusses both topics with authority. If a collector picks a style associated to their work, they have an unique benefit, like a civil engineer gathering stamps on bridges.
There have actually been books on bird stamps, such as The Golden Book of Bird Stamps by Sonia Bleeker (1976). But Rao’s book takes a look at a particular geographical location that is abundant in bird variety. However, the birds covered in this book are not simply birds of the mountains. Many of these reside in other environments also, such as the magpie robin.
The appeal of birds and stamps in India
The topic of birds is a popular thematic topic in philately. According to one estimation, by 2011, more than 28,000 bird stamps had actually been provided all around the world. The author here narrows it down to the Himalayas, which covers the stamps of 5 countries, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan, that belong to the mountain chain. Among these, Bhutan and Nepal are totally Himalayan as they are surrounded by these mountains. The stamps launched by these nations show the abundant biodiversity of the area.
Many birds included in this book, move down south of the Indian subcontinent in winter season. For circumstances, bar-headed geese are winter season visitors to south India. In addition, there are birds that come under the classification of relict birds, that is, types that are seen in the Himalayas and the Western Ghats down south, however no place in between. The grey-headed canary flycatcher is one such example. In the Nilgiris, you might find this pretty little bird with a mesmerising tune. Remember, it is not a migrant.
India launched its very first set of bird stamps in 1968, that included types such as blue magpie. But the set had actually been produced rather lackadaisically. It did not function particular names however rather utilized umbrella names like woodpeckers, while there are numerous types of woodpeckers in India.
It is a pity that lots of nations, consisting of India, do not include the taxonomic name of a bird in a bird stamp. A bird’s popular name can vary from nation to nation and even within the nation, from area to area. So, the taxonomic name ends up being important. Not simply in stamps of birds, however in all stamps including any plants and animals. Though lots of philatelists have actually raised this problem for many years, the defect continues. However, Nepal and Bhutan offer the taxonomic name, though not for all their stamps.
The author handles each nation in a different chapter and topics both the stamps and the birds to close evaluation. All the stamps gone over have actually been recreated photographically and each bird is explained in information. Those areas check out like a genuine guidebook. But the names of the professional photographers are not offered anywhere. The artists’ names are missing out on, other than for G. M. Henry and Rajmansingh. Wildlife artist Pratibha Pande whose paintings were utilized for some stamps in India, is forgotten. Some postal administrations have internal artists, however independent artists are frequently engaged however hardly ever acknowledged in the sales brochure launched with each brand-new stamp.
The author handles the stamps country-wise, supplying all the important information of each stamp. All the philatelic product connecting to birds, stamps, both celebratory and conclusive series, first-day covers, postcards, mini sheets and maxim cars and trucks are covered in this work. The preservation status of each bird is likewise offered. For this function, he points out IUCN records.
Paintings vs. pictures
However, the author has actually not touched upon the real material of the stamp – what is portrayed, whether it is a picture, drawing or painting. The design of the painting is likewise not pointed out. For circumstances, lots of Chinese stamps bear an unique design of painting. This element of the development of a stamp need to be seen and taped. The modifying needs to have been tighter. The list of philatelic products highlighted by India has actually been duplicated. (It appears in Annexures I and II).
The pictures have actually been recreated greatly, and the images of stamps have actually likewise been printed with accuracy. One of the welcome functions of the book is the bibliography. This will be extremely helpful to both scientists and collectors.
Hopefully, the book will likewise encourage the postal administrations of the world to pay closer attention to the production of stamps. It might cause some sort of standardisation and prevent insufficiencies. For circumstances, Bhutan has actually provided a stamp including a mallard and calls it simply a ‘duck.’
The author is a previous Chief Postmaster General of Tamil Nadu, a movie historian and wildlife conservationist. He has actually authored a number of books.
Banner image: A collection of stamps launched by the Government of India highlighting 4 threatened types of birds. Photo by Post of India.
