Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Stamps Collecting Hobbies, Ceylon – Sri Lanka, Pen Friends.


THE JOY OF STAMP COLLECTING – PART 1
 Ceylon Under British Rule / Dominion
Stamps bearing the pictures of;
King George V (Reign from 1910-1936) and
King George VI (Reign from 1936 – 1952)


Stamp collecting is not the same as philately, which is the study of stamps. A philatelist may, but does not have to, collect stamps.  There are specific terms which refer to some specialized areas of stamp-collecting; for example, the collection and study of airmail stamps is called 'aerophilately'.


Many casual stamp collectors accumulate stamps for sheer enjoyment and relaxation without worrying about the tiny details. Stamp collecting is a joyous pastime. With each stamp lies a story behind. The historical, geographical, political, economics, events, religion etc of a nation - recorded on the small piece of stamp! Those days none would ever imagine these hobbies one day can generate into some form of profit? 

 
Leaders and personalities,
Religion; Buddhist, Hindu and Islam,
Mile’s last letter with a Sri Lanka stamp

 Rice planting, tea and coconut
Different types of animals in Ceylon/Sri Lanka


When I was young I had pen friends from many countries and was fortunate as my pen pals collect stamps too.  Those days we don’t buy, we rely on exchanges; “you give me a 1950 dated stamp or one with a picture of the Queen, I will give you same from my country” - that childish kind of bargaining we had back then. LOL.


One of my pen pal was from Ratnapura, Ceylon (Now Sri Lanka) and lives in a Tea Plantation. He was from mixed families, British father married a local Sinhanese lady. His last letter to me with a Sri Lanka (new name) stamp came in 1972 when Ceylon became a Republic; changing its name from Ceylon to Sri Lanka.


A lot of things happened in Ceylon/Sri Lanka during those period, we lost contact since. To my dearest pen pal Miles, wherever you may be today, these stamps of Ceylon (over 100 pieces in my collection) came from you, “thank you”.

23 comments:

  1. beautiful stamps. rich history.
    of these ones above, i have only one - that old unkerr with white hair in the second list, top (10cents, green stamp).

    ceylon was also known as Serendip.
    aha! the old Sinbad story -
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinbad_the_Sailor
    (see his Sixth Voyage).

    = pity our politicians didnt learn from this old arab story - now they call themselves SinGOOD. hahaha.
    = anak kita tak baca sinbad atau hikayat hang tuan, tapi pokemon dan twilight.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Those days exchanging stamps and having pen pals was one best way to connect. Today our kids also follow our ways except theirs using the latest technology.

    My daughter have her own circle of online friends from all over the world and their exchanges are much more sophisticated in nature. They learn faster!

    She started picking Japanese from Japanese virtual friends @10yrs and 3yrs on can understand Japanese well, write a little Katakana and sings Japanese songs all day long!

    Just imagine Post office vs Internet! huhu

    ReplyDelete
  3. hi katrina, i used to collect stamps in my student days- one of my most favorite hobbies...then i dont remember what happened to them. must have given them away.
    wow the sri lankan stamps are so beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi katrina, sorry for the abrupt end earlier. had to go do something urgent.
    By the way, do you collect stamps in those days?
    I have an award for you. please collect at my site. Do let me know if you cant download, gimme your email address, I will send to you by email .Thanks and have a nice day

    ReplyDelete
  5. CV,
    Suppose it was more of a personal treasure, so it is safely tucked and hidden away at all times. I still smile when I look at each of those stamps, brings back so many precious childhood memories.

    TQ so much for the Award. Love visiting your blog,its unique, the guest posts from around the world, we get to learn not only cooking but about the guests as well, each with their special talents. Imagine meeting a South African of Malay origin from your blog.. it is exciting yes?

    ReplyDelete
  6. That was such a great article, my grandpa collects stamps and he has a big collection. I was always fascinated with this hobby :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. Andreea,
    Not even a stamp from Romania in my collection!.. one day please post some of his stamps in your blog for us to see? I am sure they must be beautiful - and the famous castles in Romania! Enchanting and so so Romantic!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Collecting stamp is so profitable in terms of knowledge and income! My son used to collect them in his school days and I used to get them from our business partners from all over the world...

    ReplyDelete
  9. for exchange stamps contact +94774119900.. im from sriLanka..

    ReplyDelete
  10. HOW TO EXCHANGE STAMPS? I AM FROM INDIA. FRANCIS

    ReplyDelete
  11. hi , anybody need stamps pls contact nasuuras@yahoo.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anybody need stamps all over world , i have got if anybody needi will sell or i need old bank notes, nasurras@yahoo.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  13. First οff I wоuld liκe to say gгeat
    blοg! I had а quіck question that I'd like to ask if you don't
    mіnd. I ωas interested to find out how you center yourѕеlf and
    сleaг your thoughts before writіng. I havе had a diffіcult time
    сlеarіng my mind in gеtting my ideas out.
    I do take pleasure in writing hoωeνer it just
    seemѕ like the fіrst 10 to 15 mіnutеѕ are
    generally lost sіmply juѕt trying to figure out how to begin.
    Any ѕuggestions or tiрѕ? Τhаnk yοu!

    http://bеthel.patch.сom/events/the-clone-wars-sеason-5-eρisode-9-a-nеcessаry-bond-watch-it-for-free-online-stream
    Stop by my webpage :: Watch The Clone Wars Season 5 Episode 9 A Necessary Bond Online Free Stream

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for stopping by,
      Since student days I carry a tiny pocket notepad; remained a habit, to jot down points of interest (so I don’t forget). From these bits and pieces, I later fill up and elaborate.

      Am not a writer, worse, was an exAuditor (investigation) so my articles' presentations are too matter of fact eh? Anyway I stick to the basic “Ws” in trying to come up with an article; what, who, when, where and why..

      visited yr webpage.. really fantastic and will surely visit often.

      Cheers

      Delete
  14. Cаn you tell us moгe about this? I'd like to find out more details.Watch Merlin Season 5 Episode 8 Online
    Feel free to visit my blog Merlin Season 5 Episode 8

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wonderful post! We are linking to this particularly great post on our website.
    Keep up the good writing.

    my page - teichpumpen solarbetrieben

    ReplyDelete
  16. Helpful info. Fortunate me I discovered your site by accident, and I'm shocked why this accident didn't happened in advance!
    I bookmarked it.

    Take a look at my page :: übersetzung englisch deutsch gratis online
    ()

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very nice article. I also have a few of the Ceylon stamps you mentioned. I truly enjoy this hobby. Do you want to be pen pals and exchange?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi I just stumbled on your article. I also have a few of Ceylon stamps you put up. I really enjoy this hobby. Do you want to exchange or be pen pals.

    ReplyDelete


  19. I have lot of stamps at the moment im going to sell now ..

    im collecting only british colonies..from 1852-1947 , i have lot coins & paper money from 1937 -1995 ,
    pls contact any body want buy or swap pls contact razimara.nas@gmail.com

    im living in sweden

    ReplyDelete
  20. http://wwww.razimara.wordpress.com/ click the site & see my collection of stamps

    paper money

    ReplyDelete