Ko Toe Philately: July 2019

Thursday, 25 July 2019

GSM article on Air Letter Sheets of Burma

I published my study report on the Burma's air letter sheets in GSM, 2019 May issue. It is also the beginner's guide to air letter sheets of Burma (Myanmar) covering from first issue of 1946 to last issue of 2001.

First page of an article

Toe Kyaw Kyar, "The Development of Burma's Letter Sheets: A Brief History", Gibbons Stamp Monthly, pp. 62-65, May 2019.

The month of Waso

The seventh stamp of the festivals series is for the month of Waso and it was issued on 2 Jul. It is the 1st Waxing of Waso. On the first day of issue, 1200 FDCs were cancelled and sold at Mandalay GPO.

The month of Waso (July) is the fourth month of traditional Burmese calendar. In the ancient time, the Buddhist ordination ceremonies and noviciation ceremonies are held throughout the nation. It is also the first month of the three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada monks and practitioners. The stamp on the card featured Waso's seasonal flower Ponenyat [Alexandrian laurel] and Buddhist Ordination Festival.

Stamp design

The scientific name of the Ponenyat flower is Calophyllum inophyllum. As I reported in here, the name is replaced with the common name.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue : 2 Jul 2019

Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)

Printing Process : Offset

Stamp Size and Format : 84 mm x 30 mm (Horizontal)

Color : 4

Perforation : 14

Denomination : K200

Sheet Composition : 30 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 150,000 pcs each design
Stamp Designers : Wai Zin Paing (MPS)

Maxicard

Grab your copies at my eBay store.

First Day Covers

Official FDC sent from Mandalay

Myanmar Philatelic Society FDC (1000 Covers) [MPS-FDC-031]

U Mya Thaung

Wednesday, 3 July 2019

The month of Nayon

The sixth stamp of the festivals series is for the month of Nayon and it was issued on 3 Jun. It is the 1st Waxing of Nayon.

The month of Nayon (June) is the third month of traditional Burmese calendar. During this month, national Pariyatti Sasana Examinations for Buddhist monks are held countrywide. The exams were held since the time of the Burmese Kings. The exam includes written test and viva voice. The stamp on the card featured June's seasonal flower Sabei [Jasminum Arborescens Robx] and religious exam festival.