555th Anniversary of Shin Maha Raṭṭhasāra

Shin Maha Raṭṭhasāra was a Buddhist monk and a prominent classical poet during the Ava Kingdom. He was born in AD 1468, and it's the 555th anniversary of his birth in 2023. Myanmar Post issued a stamp to celebrate this occasion.  Myanmar Post officially released and offered for sale First Day Covers (FDC) at the price of 400 Kyats per envelope.

Technical Details of Stamps

• Date of Issue : 13 December 2023
• Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
• Printing Process : Offset
• Stamp Size and Format : 30 mm x 42 mm (Vertical)
• Color : 4
• Perforation : 14
• Denomination : Kyats 200
• Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
• Quantity : 200,000 pieces
• Stamp Designer : Myanmar Post

Official First Day Cover

Closure of small post office in Yangon region

Myanmar Post has recently initiated the closure of several small post offices in the Yangon region, marking the initial steps in streamlining operations by phasing out underutilized postal facilities. This trend is expected to continue, potentially leading to the closure of additional post offices in the near future.

In the early months of 2023, a total of 18 post offices in the Mandalay and NayPyiTaw regions were also shut down. Recently, seven post offices from Yangon region ceased operations on April 1st, 2023. The last day of operation for these post offices was on March 31, 2023, and it's worth mentioning that our friends from Yangon created last-day-of-operation covers from six of these post offices.

Non-full service post offices

1. Thanatchaung PO (Taikkyi Township)
2. Wanetchaung PO (Hmawbi Township)
3. Phoogyi PO (Hmawbi Township)
4. Kanbae PO (Twante Township)

Village post offices

1. Thayatchaung PO (Taikkyi Township)
2. Yaeayasan PO (Taikkyi Township)
3. Shwehlaygyi (Hmawbi Township)

44th Anniversary of International Year of the Child

In 1979, UNESCO designated it as the International Year of the Child, a significant occasion marked by Burma with the issuance of two commemorative stamps on December 1st. These stamps, featuring denominations of 25 Pyas and 50 Pyas, were thoughtfully designed by U Khin Hlaing.

Fast forward 44 years to 2023, Myanmar Post once again commemorated the 44th anniversary of the International Year of the Child on December 1, 2023. Notably, the artist behind the new stamp remained the same—U Khin Hlaing, infusing continuity and artistic cohesion across the years.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue : 1 December 2023
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 30 mm x 42 mm (Vertical)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : Kyats 200
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 200,000 pieces
Artist : U Khin Hlaing
Stamp Designers : Myanmar Post

To mark this occasion, Myanmar Post officially released and offered for sale First Day Covers (FDC) at the price of 400 Kyats per envelope. 

Official FDC

LV for Ko Toe Philately

Ko Toe Philately (www.kotoephilately.blogspot.sg) achieved a significant milestone by receiving the LV medal (81 points) at the 18th NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL PHILATELIC LITERATURE EXHIBITION, held from November 25 to 26, 2023. Open to exhibitors from both New Zealand and overseas, this prestigious event, known as NZNPLE, is a specialized philatelic literature exhibition held biennially in New Zealand since 1989. This blog was submitted in the "E - Websites, the URL for active electronic media" category.

Remarkably, after nine years of dedicated blogging, this accolade marks the first-ever award bestowed upon Ko Toe Philately's website, adding a noteworthy achievement to its journey in the world of philately.  Full list of Palmares can be retrieved here.

Early Divided Back Postcard in Burma

Britain first allowed this practice in 1902, with France and Germany following suit in 1905. The USA adopted it on March 1, 1907. The UPU officially endorsed the use of divided back postcards at the Rome congress in 1906, effective from October 1, 1907, in most member countries. Prior to this, there was no universal recognition, leading to various bilateral arrangements between member countries from the 1897 New York congress to the 1906 Rome congress.

Regarding to the inland Postcards, the Indian Postal Guide Oct 1907 stated that

In the case of postcards of private manufacture, however, the address side may also be used for communications, advertisements, engravings, etc., provided that a space not less than half the address-side, marked off vertically, is set apart on the right-hand side, solely for the address of the addressee, the postage stamp and the official marks of the Post Office.

Also the regulation allowed the postcards produced by private manufactures 

Cards of private manufacture may be sent as postcards, provided

1. that they are not larger than 5¼ x 3½ inches, or smaller than 4¾ x 3 inches, and 
2. that they are neither thinner nor more flexible than the inland postcards issued by the Post Office.

Regarding to the foreign postcards, Clause 159 stated that

Cards of private manufacture, with or without adhesive stamps affixed to them in payment of the postage, may be sent as postcards to any Union country: provided that, as regards size, they are not more than 5½ by 3½ inches or less than 4 by 2¾ inches, and that, as regards substance, they are made of paste-board or of paper neither thinner nor more flexible than the international postcards issued by the Indian Post Office.

Clause 160 stated that

Apart from heading, nothing may be written, printed, or otherwise impressed on the address-side of a postcard, with the exception of - 

• the name and address of the addressee;
• such postal terms as "Registered" or "Acknowledgement Due";
• the name and address of the sender

Provided that in the case of a postcard addressed to any Union country this restriction shall not be enforced when the following conditions are fulfilled, namely:-

(i) that a space is set apart - on the right-hand portion of the address-side of the card - for the address of the addressee, the postage stamp or stamps, the postal term referred to above, and the official marks of the Post Office, and

(ii) that this space is not less than half the address-side if the card, and is marked off by means of a straight line drawn vertically across the card.

Explanation - Under provisions (i) and (ii) above, the remaining portion of the address-side of the card may be utilized by the sender for written, printed, or impressed matter, including personal communications, engravings, advertisements, etc.  This concession is allowed only in the case of the official international postcards issued by the Post Office and of postcards of private manufacture, and does not extend to the official inland postcards issued by the Post Office when used for the foreign post, the available space on the address-side of the letter cards being sufficient only for a clear address, the additional postage stamp or stamps to be affixed and the official marks of the Post Office.

 In Burma, the earliest recorded use of a divided back postcard is dated January 15, 1906, published by Watt & Skeen.  However, the Watt & Skeen card explicitly states "FOR INLAND USE ONLY," highlighting the absence of international agreements at the time. Nevertheless, the card successfully reached England, possibly facilitated by Burma's status as part of the British Empire during that period.  The example shown below is from 20 Jan 1906.

20 Jan 1906, Divided Back Postcard published by Watt & Skeen

Another example, sent on April 26, 1906, from Rangoon to England and published by P.A. Klier using the color collotype method, represents one of the earliest instances of divided back usage. Klier's card lacks any notice restricting its use to inland destinations.  These cards precede the implementation of the UPU regulation.  

26 April 1906, Divided Back Postcard published by P.A. Klier

As of now, the earliest recorded divided back postcard usage dates back to 1906. While there might be potential instances from 1905, no cards of this nature have been discovered thus far.

Aerogramme Postage Rates: A 33-Fold Increase Since 2001

In 2001, Myanmar Post released its last Tourism Aerogramme, priced at 30 Kyats. Fast forward two decades, and no new aerogrammes have been issued to align with the evolving postal rates. While foreign aerogramme rates surged to 500 Kyats in 2011 and further to 1000 Kyats in 2017.  In 2023, there was a increase in postage rates. However, it's noteworthy that the aerogramme rate persisted unchanged at 1000 Kyats.

Despite the overall rate hike, the aerogramme rate remained constant at 1000 Kyats. A example of this rate is displayed below.  The aerogramme sent from Yangon to Singapore on October 16, 2023. Adhering to the correct foreign aerogramme rate, the sender affixed additional adhesives worth 1970 Kyats. This amounts to a staggering 33-fold increase compared to the original denomination, highlighting the significant adjustments in postage rates over the years.

Foreign Aerogramme sent at the correct postage rate

Commemorative Stationery of Russia-Myanmar Diplomatic Relation

In my earlier post, I documented the postal stationery envelope released to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Myanmar. This isn't the inaugural instance of Russia releasing philatelic materials for such occasions; previously, commemorative envelopes adorned with illustrated cachets were issued for the 25th, 30th, and 40th anniversaries as well.

In this post, I aim to compile a comprehensive record of all four covers, encompassing the postal stationery envelopes issued to commemorate the 25th, 30th, 40th, and 70th anniversaries of Russia-Myanmar Diplomatic Relations.

25th Anniversary (1973)

30th Anniversary (1978)

40th Anniversary (1988)

70th Anniversary (2018)

First three were issued under Soviet Union and the last one was issued under Russia.  The USSR established diplomatic relations with Myanmar upon the latter's independence in 1948, which remain to the present day through Russia.  Myanmar also issued the stamp to commemorate 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Russia in 2013.

The Burma StaMPS Volume 2

Myanmar Philatelic Society initiated publishing the brand new "The Burma StaMPS" journal quarterly in 2022.  It is also the newsletter of the society.   Ko Toe is the editor of the journal.  The editor hopes Burmese language journal can attract new collectors to philately, and keep the society active. The Burma StaMPS Vol 1 (2022) won Silver Bronze medal at TAIPEI 2023.

Each issue has 20 pages and published in full color.  The final issue of each year, released in October, serves as a captivating compilation of articles unified by a single theme. In the year 2022, the spotlight falls on "Bird Stamps," weaving together a tapestry of avian beauty depicted on stamps. In 2023, the focus shifts gracefully to the "Rangoon General Post Office (GPO)," exploring its historical and postal significance. These thematic choices promise enriching reads and visual delights for enthusiasts and collectors alike. 

In 2023, four issues for Jan, Apr, Jul and Oct were published.  The digital copies of the journal is distributed to MPS members.  The editor compiled four issues, together with the contents, author index, subject index and post office index, and produced the softbound printed book.  The whole volume includes 104 pages.  The annual book is adorned with a painting by the talented artist Ko G Latt, gracing its cover with vibrant colors and artistic brilliance.

British Postal Stationery Card used by Forces in Burma

The Lady Provost's Comforts Fund for H.M. Forces was a charitable organization in the United Kingdom that operated during World War I and World War II.  The purpose of the fund was to provide comforts and necessities to British servicemen and women serving in the Armed Forces during times of war. 

The Lady Provost's Comforts Fund for H.M. Forces sent goody parcels from home to soldiers fighting in the war.  A returned thank you card, shown below, signed and send home.

The card was cancelled with FPO No 82, dated 22 Jan 44. The location of this FPO on that date was in Tidim, chin state, Burma.  The FPO 82 was in Tidim from 14 Nov 1943 to 4 Mar 1944.  This FPO moved in and out of Burma and India over the time.  It was disbanded at Kamptee India on 23 Jun 1947. 

The Burma Diptych Postcard

Discovering something previously unseen is always a remarkable experience. Recently, I stumbled upon a special find that left me in awe. It all began when I noticed a striking similarity between two postcards listed by the same seller. Driven by curiosity, I downloaded the images and used computer software to combine them, revealing an astonishing revelation - these two postcards seamlessly form a single image. 

Two Picture Postcards

Merged Image

The merged picture beautifully captures the essence of the sacred pagoda stupa on the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda. The reverse side of the postcard, featuring three address lines in a divided back format and lacking a stamp box, provides a fascinating glimpse into the past, dating back to the 1920s.

REST HAVEN Antituberculosis Fundraising Labels 1949-1957

Rest Haven, Taunggyi, issued the anti-tuberculosis fundraising labels. These were printed by the Calcutta Printing Works in Rangoon using rough perf 12 in the 4x4 and 4x5 (only for the 1957 peacock) formats with wide margins. An inscription in the upper margin reads:

Rest Haven in Taunggyi is an institution devoted exclusively to the relief of tuberculosis. The money received from the sale of these seals will help to re-equip the sanatorium, and your use of these seals on your letters will help to advertise our work.

In 1949, 1954, and 1956, Rest Haven issued three distinct labels in green, purple, and red, respectively. The picture shows the Rest Haven building in Taunggyi.  In the 1957 edition of the Rest Haven label featuring the green peacock, the second line of the margin inscription reads: All proceeds from the sale of this seal will be used for food and medicine for free patients.

The Rest Haven labels can be seen sealed on the reverse of the above cover, it was sent from RANGOON to ENGLAND, on 17 Jan 1958.  

John Denune's ChristmasSeals.net site showcased these labels in full sheets format.  He noted that the red color label of 1956 has two variations of Orange Red and Dark Red.

TAIPEI 2023 39th International Stamp Exhibition

TAIPEI 2023 - The 39th Asian International Stamp Exhibition was organized by the collaborative efforts of Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd., the Chinese Taipei Philatelic Federation, and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council. This prestigious event garnered patronage from FIAP and recognition from FIP.

Exhibition Logo

The exhibition was held at held from 11 to 15 Aug 2023 at Hall 1 Area A, World Trade Center. The exhibition displayed over 202 exhibits in around 1010 frames and 41 literatures.  Myanmar submitted two picture postcard (PPC) exhibits and one literature exhibit.

Commissioners' Photograph

U Thein Tun Kyaw's PPC exhibit, titled "The Nostalgia of Burma in British Colonial Time," earned a score of 76 points, awarding a Large Silver medal. U Toe Kyaw Kyar's exhibit, "People of Burma and Their Lifestyles," secured a remarkable 85 points, awarding a Large Vermeil medal.  In addition, the inaugural volume of the Journal and newsletter of the Myanmar Philatelic Society, "The Burma StaMPS Volume 1 (2022)" commanded attention with a score of 68 points, awarding Silver Bronze medal. These exhibits are set to grace the international stage once again at the forthcoming Thailand 2023 FIP World Stamp Championship Exhibition, scheduled for the end of November.

Notably, the Myanmar Philatelic Society donated a special prize—"Burmese Lacquerware Tray"—to the organizing committee. This esteemed award found its deserving recipient in an exhibitor from Australia.

Burmese Chess Pieces on Vietnam Stamp

A previously undiscovered Vietnamese stamp featuring a Burmese chess piece has come to light. Back in 1983, Vietnam released a fascinating set of stamps showcasing chess pieces from around the world. The collection included seven stamps and one miniature sheet. These stamps were printed on watermark paper with a perforation of 12¾ and were issued on May 9th.  The stamp size is 31 x 46 mm and printed using offset printing method.  Total of 396,000 sets were issued.

Vietnam Stamp with Sit-ke piece

Among these stamps was one particularly captivating piece with a denomination of 30xu. It proudly displayed the sit-ke (general) and ya-hta (chariots) chess pieces from Burmese traditional chess, which bears a striking resemblance to the queen and rock in international chess receptively. The history of Burmese traditional chess dates back to AD 8, and it has its unique rules and playing style. The game is deeply rooted in the four warfare elements that were crucial to the ancient Burmese kings. These military elements consist of the Elephant division, Cavalry division, Chariot division, and Infantry division.

Miniature Sheet alongside with other chess stamps

It is fascinating to see how the stamp highlights a piece from this ancient and captivating chess tradition. The image of the stamp featuring the sit-ke and ya-hta chess pieces alongside the actual Burmese chess piece can be observed below. Additionally, the other stamps that depict various Burmese chess pieces have been meticulously documented in this post. This discovery captivates philatelists and chess enthusiasts, unveiling Vietnam's stamp history and the cultural heritage of Burmese traditional chess.

Postcard issued by Myanmar Comedian's Association

On 7 July 2023, Myanmar Post's post offices began selling a fund raising postcard, although it should be noted that this postcard is not an official Myanmar Post product. Instead, it was issued by the Myanmar Comedian's Association for a fundraising initiative. The postcard features images of renowned comedians from the past, along with a delightful poem. This postcard is printed on light gsm art card.

Postcard Design

Myanmar Post did not release any commemorative postmark to accompany this special postcard. However, collectors who were eager to acquire this piece resorted to using the pictorial Yangon GPO postmark to cancel.

This unique collaboration between Myanmar Post and the Myanmar Comedian's Association has garnered significant interest among collectors and supporters.

Postal Museum Japan

Recently, on June 2, 2023, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Postal Museum Japan. Situated on Level 9 of Tokyo Skytree Town, the museum showcases a fascinating collection of artifacts dedicated to postal services and communication. Among its impressive exhibits are an astounding 350,000 stamps representing various countries from around the world. During my visit, I captured some captivating photos, which I am excited to share with the readers of this blog.

"STAMP LOVER" solo exhibition by U Sit Aung

MPS Vice President U Sit Aung organized a captivating solo stamp exhibition called "STAMP LOVER" at the Artist Gallery Café in Yangon. The exhibition took place from June 26th to 28th 2023 at No. 99, Lamai Condo, Myaynu Road, Sanchang Township. The exhibition was open for visitors between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm.  The event showcased a diverse collection of Burma and International stamps, along with other philatelic items. Enthusiasts and individuals interested in stamps had the opportunity to attend the exhibition and explore these captivating artifacts. The event received support from both attendees and MPS team members, contributing to its success.