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An expo that bears the stamp of history

— Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

Hobby time: A scene from the exhibition by the Calicut Philatelic Club in Kozhikode on Friday.

Evoking wonder, curiosity and nostalgia, the three-day exhibition of stamps, coins and currency opened at the Kandamkulam Jubilee Hall here on Friday.

Stamps brought out by different countries at various periods have been arranged thematically besides the coin and currency collection at the show organised by the Calicut Philatelic Club.

“With each passing year more and more stamp and coin collectors have been joining our show,” says Rajesh D. Nair, president of Calicut Philatelic Club.

His stamp collection occupies a pride of place at the exhibition.

His collection includes ‘Penny Black,’ world’s first stamp brought out in 1840 and an extraordinary ‘travelled cover,’ dated 1810, made of newspaper by disabled soldiers.

The stamp collection of 12 members of the club, that was set up in 1972, are being showcased.

Sporting events such as the World Cup and Olympics are recorded for posterity through stamps brought out by 80 countries.

Others depict themes of Kerala such as heritage sites, tribal dances, and scenic spots.

Also on display are stamps made of cloth, wood, plastic, pearl, and diamond. Novelties include stamps made of 24 carat gold, those emitting fragrance of roses and chocolates.

There is also a huge collection on Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, brought out by different countries.

Organisers point out that stamps brought out by different countries are monitored by an international body, the Geneva-based Universal Postal Union, whose thematic collection is also on view.

The show features coin and currency collection of K.V. Ismail of Ponnani, encompassing 290 countries.

Noted among his collection are ‘Widow’s mite’, the lowest denomination coin of ancient Judea, a Portuguese medal depicting arrival of Vasco da Gama at Kappad, and at 0.5 gm, the lightest gold coin of Vijayanagaram empire.

K.N. Pillai, president, Malabar Philatelic Club inaugurated the exhibition that will be on till September 2.

Maleeha Raghaviah

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