Shital's Philatelic Collection

Monday, June 20, 2022

TIN CAN MAIL EXPERIMENT, GOAPEX 2021 : CARRIED COVER PHILATELY

This Special Cover released on November 30, 2021 (GOAPEX 2021), by the Goa Postal Division enacted the famous Tin Can Mail of the Niuafo'ou, an isolated Island in the Pacific. Here the swimmers collected mails in sealed tins swimming out to the passing ship. The service got popular and got the name TIN CAN MAIL.

Goa Postal Department did this Tin Can Mail Experiment from the town of Ribandar to Piedade, an island village over the river Mandovi. This mail was carried out with the help of River Navigation Department, Goa.

Monday, June 6, 2022

BALLOON MAIL : 1984 FIRST BALLOON MAIL OF ANTIGUA

This unique piece of philatelic history commemorates the "First Balloon Mail on Antigua," launched on September 27, 1984. The card marks the 200th anniversary of manned balloon flight, flown aboard the hot air balloon OE-AZP - PRO JUVENTUTE. This specific card, numbered 1116, is hand-signed by the pilot, Hans Mierl, and features a distinct circular "Bordstempel" (on-board stamp), which adds significant collector value.

The visual design is rich with official markings, including a $4 Antigua & Barbuda stamp depicting a hot air balloon over palm trees. It bears a clear "St. John’s" postmark and is addressed to Dr. Herbert Nierhaus in Hamburg, Germany. The presence of the Antigua flag and the tricolor airmail border emphasize its international journey from the West Indies to Europe.

Historically, this "Sonderballonpost" represents a specialized niche in mail delivery known as aerophilately. It highlights the global celebration of aviation milestones and the collaboration between Caribbean postal authorities and German commemorative efforts.