Its Christmas time…and the eves of Dakshina Kannada Philatelists and Numismatists Association (DKPNA) have displayed their rich collection of Christmas stamps from across the globe, in the monthly meeting of DKPNA in Mangalore on Sunday. Irene Vaz and Harriet Lasrado, the veterans in DKPNA have displayed 78 sheets of over 1000 Christmas stamps from 35 countries.
Irene Vaz, a home maker from Kadri, is collecting stamps for the last 30 years. This is her first exhibition at the DKPNA monthly meeting. Her main theme is on Royal Families in the world. She also posses a very good collection of stamps on Children’s Day and Nehru.
Irene, who considers all her stamps as precious is also having a huge collection of coins.
One of the special stamps on her Christmas stamp collection is the ‘Millennium Stamp’ issued by Canada in 2000, made up of hologram.
The stamp was released to commemorate the new millennium as well as to observe the Year of Peace, declared by the then Pope, John Paul II.
One could see the years 1999 and 2000 overlapping over when the stamp is viewed in a particular angle. The stamp also depicts a dove, which represents the year of peace. Other noted stamp in her collection is the ‘Yesu Christ Jayanthi’ stamp issued by India, in 2000.
Most of the stamps are from Commonwealth countries like Australia, Canada and United Kingdom. The stamps are categorised into different sub themes related to Christmas like Christmas tree, crib, shepherds and angels, plants related to Christmas, The three kings, candles, carols and stars.
“My children who are working abroad and my friends and relatives bring stamps for me. My kids have a very good collection, but as they become busy with studies and job, I took it over. For me, this is not just a hobby, but some thing which updates my general knowledge,” said Irene.
Old stamps adore
Harriet Lasrado is a regular face in the DKPNA exhibition and is famous for her collection on birds and flora and fauna. Her collection of Christmas stamps is adorned by some very old stamps issued by Australia, Ireland, Belgium and Vatican. She has displayed 33 sheets of over 400 stamps from 25 countries including that from Vatican. Oldest stamp on Christmas in her collection is the 1945 stamp issued by Australia.
She has also displayed her airmail collection on Christmas, issued by USA and Canada. The sub themes on Christmas in her collection includes those of three kings, Christmas Crib, carol, Mother and Child, Santa Claus and Bells. One of the rare stamps in her collection is the bottle shaped stamp issued by Malta.