Ko Toe’s Postage Rates Book Wins Large Gold at NZNPLE 2025

Ko Toe’s book, Postage Rates of Burma (Myanmar) 1937–2024, was awarded a Large Gold Medal, together with Felicitations for Research and a Special Prize, at the New Zealand National Philatelic Literature Exhibition (NZNPLE 2025) held on 6 December 2025 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The literature exhibits were displayed at the Christchurch Philatelic Society’s library, providing an appropriate scholarly setting for this specialist exhibition. Open to exhibitors from both New Zealand and overseas, NZNPLE is a prestigious biennial philatelic literature exhibition, held since 1989, and is widely recognised for its high judging standards. The full list of the Palmarès can be accessed here.

Literatures displayed

The special prize awarded was an art print entitled A Garden Enclosed (1980) by Eileen Mayo. The original work is a screenprint and forms part of the collection of the Christchurch Art Gallery.

This marks the second international award for the book. Its first major recognition was a Gold Medal at the Thailand 2025 FIAP Asian International Stamp Exhibition, further affirming its contribution to the study of Burmese and Myanmar postal history.

New Book Release: Postage Rates of Burma (Myanmar) 1937–2024

New Book Release: Postage Rates of Burma (Myanmar) 1937–2024
By Ko Toe – Launching 2 May 2025

Ko Toe is proud to announce the release of his new book, Postage Rates of Burma (Myanmar) 1937–2024, a comprehensive reference documenting postage rates from the colonial period through to the present day. These rates have been meticulously gathered from a wide range of sources—including Acts, research articles, postal guides, official leaflets, and travel guides—in both Burmese and English. This meticulously researched volume will be an invaluable resource for postal historians and collectors interested in Burma’s philatelic and postal history.

Book Details

• Total Pages: 220

• Binding: Hardcover with thread binding

• Contents: Full-colour printing on 100 gsm coated paper

• ISBN: 978-981-94-2908-0

• Edition Size: Limited to 100 copies

• Price: SGD 50

To purchase a copy, please contact the author directly via email [toekyawkyar@gmail.com]. Trackable registered shipping by SingPost is SGD 44. 

Awards

Gold Medal Award - THAILAND 2025 Asian International Stamp Exhibition

Large Gold Award with Felicitation for Research and Special Prize - 19th New Zealand National Philatelic Literature Exhibition

"Postage Stamps of Myanmar" Now Available in English

For those who follow Myanmar philatelic literature, you may recall a Burmese-language book published in 2018 titled Postage Stamps of Myanmar. Written by U Kyaw Myint Maung and published by U Thiha Lwin (TMH), the book has been a valuable resource for collectors.

Now, in an exciting development, the book has been translated into English by Daw Mra Hnin Si, with the English edition officially released in October 2024.

Book Details:

Title: Postage Stamps of Myanmar
Author: U Kyaw Myint Maung
Publisher: U Thiha Lwin (TMH)
ISBN: 978-99986-57-24-3
Price: $28 per copy
Pages: 327 (full-color)
Binding: Hardcover with dust jacket
Bonus: Includes a bookmark with an actual stamp insert

Unlike many traditional philatelic catalogs, this book focuses on the historical narratives behind Myanmar’s postage stamps. It explores the background events depicted on stamps issued from 1937—when Myanmar was still under British rule—through to the latest 2024 butterfly-themed issues.

This marks the eighth book by U Kyaw Myint Maung, further cementing his contributions to the field of Myanmar philately. The quality of this edition, with its detailed historical insights and premium design, makes it an essential reference for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Congratulations to both the author and publisher on this remarkable achievement!

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.