NAVAL COVER : UNITED STATES BICENTENNIAL AND OPERATION SAIL '76

This Cacheted Naval Event Cover is a remarkable historical artifact from July 15, 1976, capturing the peak of the United States Bicentennial and Operation Sail '76. Postmarked aboard the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides), the cover features a classic Type 9 naval cancellation, where the "killer bars" used to void the postage stamp explicitly display the ship's name.

The cover is particularly notable for its "Posted on Board" status, indicated by the red rectangular cachet from the STS Sir Winston Churchill. This British sail training schooner was a key participant in the International Sail Training Race No. 4, a transatlantic journey from Boston to Plymouth, England. The presence of multiple cachets—including the blue oval race details and the Boston commemorative graphic—marks this as a dual-ship souvenir, documenting the collaborative maritime spirit between the U.S. Navy and international merchant sailing vessels.

For collectors, this piece is a "Grade A" specimen due to its crisp markings and the specific narrative it follows. Addressed to West Germany, the envelope traveled as part of the very history it commemorates, serving as a tangible link to the 1976 Fleet Review. It stands as a "maritime time capsule," preserving the moment when the world’s most famous wooden warship and a modern British trainer united to celebrate 200 years of American history and the enduring legacy of the high seas.

BON VOYAGE COVER : USS NAUTILUS (SSN-571)

 

Few vessels have revolutionized naval history quite like the USS Nautilus (SSN-571), the world's first operational nuclear-powered submarine. Pictured here on a commemorative philatelic cover, we see a snapshot of a significant moment: April 9, 1979, the day the Nautilus embarked on its "Final Trip from Groton, CT." The striking green cachet, merging the submarine's silhouette with an atomic symbol, perfectly captures the essence of this pioneering vessel.

This "Bon Voyage" cover marks the end of an era for a true engineering marvel. After 25 years of groundbreaking service, the Nautilus was heading to California for decommissioning, closing a remarkable chapter in its operational life. Today, the USS Nautilus has returned to Groton, Connecticut, where it stands proudly as a museum ship, continuing to inspire awe and educate visitors about its pivotal role in the Cold War and beyond.

POLAR PHILATELY : THE STORY OF THE M/S NILS HOLGERSSON PAQUEBOT COVER

 

This historical "Paquebot" cover documents a luxury Christmas and New Year’s cruise aboard the M/S Nils Holgersson from December 1979 to January 1980. The "Paquebot" marking signifies that this mail was posted at sea and processed at the next port of call, serving as a unique record of maritime communication. Featuring a 1978 German stamp cancelled in Hamburg, it tracks a voyage from Germany to exotic destinations like Lisbon, Casablanca, and Funchal.

The cover’s elaborate cachets provide a complete itinerary and highlight the ship's affiliation with the TT-Line. TT-Line is a prominent German shipping company that has been a leader in Baltic Sea travel for over 60 years. Founded in 1962, the company takes its name from the two ports it originally connected: Travemünde (Germany) and Trelleborg (Sweden), The ship mentioned on your cover was the third vessel to bear the name (operating for TT-Line from 1975–1985).

These markings were not merely decorative; they validated the vessel's transcontinental route through the Atlantic and Mediterranean. From the ship’s profile illustration to the official "printed matter" designation, every stamp preserves a moment in social philately. It remains a vivid historical snapshot of global travel logistics and the enduring legacy of the TT-Line fleet.

POLAR PHILATELY : THE STORY OF A 1987 TAAF POSTCARD

 

This postcard serves as a fascinating historical record of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF), specifically documenting a logistics mission to the remote Kerguelen Islands in late 1987. The piece is authenticated by the circular cachet and signature of Commandant Marc Soviche, who captained the MS Marion Dufresne, a vital research and supply vessel that acted as the primary lifeline for these sub-Antarctic territories. The red "OP 88 / 1" marking indicates its origin during a specific scientific campaign or "Opération," highlighting the ship's role in supporting global oceanographic research.

The card’s postal markings reveal its journey through the "Furious Fifties" latitudes, featuring the official "Paquebot" designation which signifies it was written and posted while at sea. It was eventually processed at Port-aux-Français, the administrative hub of the archipelago, as shown by the postmark dated November 19, 1987. To assist with its identification, the card even includes a rectangular stamp of the exact geographic coordinates for the base: 70° 13' E, 49° 21' S.

Such "covers" are highly collected in the field of polar philately because they represent the rare physical connection between isolated scientific outposts and the outside world. Sent to a recipient on Réunion Island, this document remains a testament to the enduring spirit of maritime exploration in the Southern Ocean.

WORLD HERITAGE SITE LUMBINI, NEPAL - BUDDHISM PHILATELY

DATE OF ISSUE: 14.09.2009

COUNTRY:  NEPAL

Dipok Dey: first Indian to design a UN Stamp Design

This philatelic material holds a significant place in the history of Indian philately. Designed by Shri Dipok Dey, a renowned artist, philatelist, and journalist based in Kolkata, it marks the first time an Indian created a United Nations stamp. This stamp on Child Survival was issued on 22 November 1985 in the 33-cent denomination.

We at the Sikkim Philatelic Society have been honoured to receive his support since 2002. Wishing you good health, dear sir.

CIRCULAR POSTMARK WITH WAVY LINES : US POSTMARK

KHADI ARTISAN CARRIED COVER, DUSI 2019 : CARRIED COVER PHILATELY

This Ponduru khadi artisan carried special cover was released on 05-12-2019 at Ponduru. The finest khadi yam from Ponduru is said to have earned the appreciation of Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to North Coastal Andhra and he wore it during his visit. Gandhiji's charkha is believed to be used only in Ponduru and a cluster of villages In the Srikakulam District.

TRAM CARRIED COVER, KOLKATA STAMPSHOW 05 : CARRIED COVER PHILATELY

 This cover was carried by Calcutta Tramways from Kolkata GPO to Bidhannagar on December 17, 2005.

SHIKARA CARRIED COVER, JAMMU 2019 : CARRIED COVER PHILATELY

This cover was released on the occasion of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The mail was carried on a Shikara from Nehru Park to Srinagar GPO (02.10.19).

BICYCLE MAIL CARRIED COVER, JAMMU 2021 : CARRIED COVER PHILATELY

This cover was released on the occasion of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The mail was carried by a bicycle carrier from Gandhi Nagar Head Post Office to Jammu Head Post Office (22.03.19).

FERRY CARRIED COVER, GOAPEX 2021 : CARRIED COVER PHILATELY

This cover was carried from Panji Ferry Terminal to Betim Ferry Terminal. The Ferry's name was F/B Betim and was manufactured in 2009 and bears the registration number PNJ-496. Every day about 2.5 lakhs commuters and 18000 vehicles use the ferry service in Goa.

The Cover was released on November 30, 2021 (GOAPEX 2021) by the Goa Postal Division. This service reduces the traffic load on roads and helps in saving fuel energy by utilizing the untapped waterways.

MOTORCYCLE PILOT CARRIED COVER, GOAPEX 2021 : CARRIED COVER PHILATELY

Motorcycle pilots are the most preferred mode of public transport in Goa. Painted black and yellow like auto-rickshaws or taxis, these two-wheeler motorcycle pilots have their history since the Portuguese rule in Goa.

This Special Cover was released on December 2,, 2021 (GOAPEX 2021) by the Goa Postal Division. This cover was carried from Panaji Head Office to Velha Goa Sub Office, a distance of 11.1 km.