Anniversary of DAD leaving us peacefully 10 years ago 爸，怀念你在这一天，你的离开，转眼已是一个10年

Dad left us peacefully 10 years ago ( Lunar Calendar 13th day of the 8th Month ). Time flies ，it is the 10th anniversary of the death of DAD. Dad was a quiet person, it was hard to read the sorrows and worries on the face of DAD, he would keep everything in his heart, perhaps, the ONLY person he spoke his heart out was with MUM.  There were much hardship DAD had gone through in his life and all these stories were told through MUM. I will like to seek for DAD's pardon for whatever I had DONE mistake in life. Mistakes made are irreversible, they are there in my life to repent. Dad, you are in my memory on this 10th Anniversary and a word of thanks for pulling me through the hardship. 

Results (Maximaphily) - Portugal 2010 World Philatelic Exhibition

邮集名称                                         作者                    国家             奖级  得分
Les Chefs de Etat a Traveres       CRUZ, David       Portugal       G      90 
Les Siecles                                    Rodrigues         （葡萄牙） (SP 29 best in class)
（穿越几个世纪的国家元首）
（金奖+特别奖，极限类最佳邮集）

Greco-Roman Sculpture                CONSTANTOUR  Canada       LV      88 
（希腊、罗马雕塑）                          AKIS, G.             （加拿大）     (Fel research)
（大镀金奖，专门研究奖）

Magnificent buildings                    RIEDL, Peter      Austria        LV      87
in Europe of the centuries                                     （奥地利）
（欧洲的雄伟建筑）
（大镀金奖）                                                       

The armed forces in the                RIBEIRO            Portugal       V      83
context of warand peace              MARQUES, Jose （葡萄牙）
（在战争与和平背景下的军队）
（镀金奖）                                           

Bridges                                         CANTEIRO,         Portugal       V      83
（桥）                                            Joaquim            （葡萄牙）
（镀金奖）

Famous Men in connection with    CEUCA, Mihal     Romania       V      82
Free masonry                                                        （罗马尼亚）
（共济会相关名人）                                                                                           
（镀金奖）

The Man Conquers the Sky           DIAS, Bento       Portugal       V      80
（征服太空的勇士）                           Manuel G.        （葡萄牙）
（镀金奖）

Culture of Armenians                     POGHOSSIAN,   Armenia        LS    75
（亚美尼亚文明）                              Albert              （亚美尼亚）                   
（大银奖）

The Virgin Mary Mother of God -    CARVALHO        Portugal        S     73
Inspirer of Artists                           FERNANDES,    （葡萄牙）       
（圣母玛利亚--艺术家的灵感源泉）
（银奖）

The art of Italian Renaissance       NIKOLOV,         Bulgaria        S     72
（意大利文明复兴艺术）                     Nicola              （保加利亚）
（银奖）

Joburg 2010 - Results for Maximaphily Competitive Exhibition

The final results of the 5 exhibits in the Maximaphily Class @ Joburg 2010 :

1. Italo, Greppi    "Beautiful Italy"    Italy    8  frames   Vermeil   80 pts
2. Shoujiang, He  何守江 "A brief History of European Architectural Art Illustrated by MC's"
    China    5  frames  - Exhibit withdrawn
3. Syhy-Rong, Leu  吕世荣    “Transportation”   Chinese Taipei    5  frames   Silver 70 pts
4. Vincenzo, Scicutella    "The Sculpture in the Centuries"    Italy    8  frames   Vermeil 82 pts
5. Dino, Taglietti   "France Sightseeing Tour"   Italy    5 frames   Large Silver 78 pts

Cheers to Maximaphily !

Many do NOT like Advertisement Cards, BUT whether you like it or NOT, Ad cards are excellent materials for the realisation of  maximum cards. Many a times, I could NOT find relevant commercial post cards BUT Ad Cards do provide me with an excellent alternative for the realisation of a MC.

• A maximum card realised with "Glasses of Wine" stamp, CDS Cancel @ Taipei, Taiwan

Maximaphily - you are the joy that fills my heart

Yes, Maximaphily - you are the joy that fills my heart !

• A maximum card realised with "heart stamp", CDS cancel @ Taipei

I was at the GPO KL on 31.7.2010 to have my National Monument MC done

On the day of issue of the stamp "Brave Warrior" 31.07.2010, I had most of my MCs done in Seremban ( My home town ), however, I still needed to rush to GPO Kuala Lumpur to have other MCs of the Malaysia Monument Done on a Saturday afternoon. All Philatelic Bureaux in Malaysia had long been closed on Saturdays, I did NOT know the office hours for the bureau operating on the first Saturday, I was late arriving at the GPO. I had to get my MCs stamped as these MCs I was creating were different to those I had made earlier in the morning.  For this MC, I have chosen to use a stamp depicting the National Monument which  was issued in 2007 as I see by doing so, the Maximum Card can achieve a  3 + 1 concordance  . Why do I say 3 + 1 instead of 3 ? Yes, I will always define a pictorial cancel to have 2 elements in it i.e  (a) a name of the post office and (b) a Pictorial cachet . In this particular MC, I will consider it to have a 4 elements in concordance.

I have seen and glad that Maximaphilist "epylim" had made similar MCs on the day of issue. Obviously, "epylim" has  great instinct and interest towards Maximaphily. Congratulations !

The soldiers are looking for a missing WATCH of the General!

It is an ordinary Advertisement Card of a prestige Watch Company with a caption "Time Frame" at the top. It is an ideal card for the creation of a maximum card for the "Brave Warrior Award" stamp issued on 31.7.2010. The perfect location to paste the stamp is to affix it on top of the image of the Watch. The final Maximum card with the prominent Watch image covered becomes a perfect piece of MC which no one can tell there was initially a "watch" sitting right at the middle of the postcard. In maximaphily, it is up to the individual to play with the stamp and postcard, an ordinary advert card can be moulded to become a wonderful Maximum Card.

What's wrong of Maximum Cards being Philatelic ?

Traditional Philatelists used to comment and give remarks that Maximum Cards are being philatelic, I am always furious what is wrong with Maximum Card being philatelic ? Maximum Card was born philatelic, it is no way for it to be postally used, firstly, in accordance to the postal rules, postage stamps are NOT supposed to be affixed on the picture side for posting , so that this does NOT confuse the postal clerks whist processing the postmark cancellation on the postcard. Since the postal rules had NOT changed and will NOT be changed, hence, by affixing a postage stamp on the picture side obviously violates to the postal rule, therefore, the nature of a maximum card is man-made and philatelic in the sense. Maximaphily is a great hobby, it involves extensive personal researches to produce a maximum card. The process from searching for a postcard to  seeking a relevant post office for the cancellation of a concordant postmark is an enormous task to be challenged by other categories of philately. If at all Traditional philately persists to look down upon Maximaphily owing to its nature , Maximaphily is always and prepared to stand on its feet. Deltiology with postal routes qualifies to be a part of philately, however, it is NOT in the world of philately, it stands on its own as DELTIOLOGY. If the umbrella of the Philately world is too large to shelter for Maximaphily, I will like to see Maximaphily to raise its own flag, it is ONLY in the true world of Maximaphily that we talk the same language.

• A maximum card created with "traditional games" stamp, CDS date Cancel @ Seremban

My ultimate aim was to realise this Vimanmek Mansion MC @ Bangkok 2010

 
Malaysia issued a set of 10 stamps along with the other ASEAN nations forming a special omnibus stamp issue in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN in 2007. Each of the stamps depicts an Architecture of the respective nation. In 2007, I was ONLY able to realise a maximum card for the Malayan Railway HQ Building stamp, the other 9 stamps depicting architecture in foreign locations of which I was unable to realise a maximum card owing to the lack of the concordance in Place. 

I knew it was an opportunity for me this time @ Bangkok to have this maximum card realised conforming to the FIP rules , hence I was set for the mission to have this particular Maximum Card done accordingly. I brought along with me the Malaysian stamp featuring teh  Vimanmek Mansion , I looked for a related postcard , had the stamp affixed on the postcard and cancelled at the Official Pos Malaysia Booth @ Bangkok 2010. Here it is , a Malaysia Stamp validly cancelled at Bangkok - hence, the status of the Maximum Card fully complies to the FIP rules. 

I recalled blogger "epylim" had a similar situation of an MC to be done i.e the 2010 World Expo Australia Pavillion stamp with its related postcard, the only solution is to wait for  an official Auspost booth set up @ Shanghai one day to have it cancelled officially. It is a real challenge to do such a "feat" ! Good luck epylim .. be patient ! You can do it !

My basic homework before the mission of creating MCs @ Bangkok

 

I did a search of the recent stamps issued by Thaipost and I was particularly interested in the following Chinese Theme subjects : The Goddess of Mercy ( Kuan Yin 观音), Lion dance (舞狮), zodiac (生肖), fu lu shou( 福禄壽), Peacock etc., I knew the stamps of the "Kuan Yin" and "fu lu shou" would never be possible to be issued in Malaysia, I had the urge to realise them as MCs to treasure. I was ONLY able to find postcards for the "Kuan Yin" and failed to look for the "Fu lu Shou" postcards.  I particularly like the "Kuan Yin" statue postcard of the Penang Kek Lok Si temple, of which I was successful in converting it into a Maximum Card.  I was glad that I did the necessary homework before I left for Bangkok, my mission of creating MCs was successful.

• A maximum card realised with "Kuan Yin" stamp, CDS Date Cancel @ Bangkok

One Asked : Was there any wastage on the unused stamps from a complete set, whilst you created MCs @ Bangkok ?

Someone asked :Would there  be wastage on the stamps broken up from the complete set which were NOT used for making other MCs?

At Bangkok 2010, I did NOT have the time to create any MCs for the first 3 days of the exhibition, however, during lunch break, I was able to spend a few minutes looking at the items SOLD at the dealers' booths. From my observation, I noted many of the Local Thai booths were selling single mint stamps broken from sets, I knew it was ideal for maximaphilist to pick whatever stamps suitable for the creation of MCs instead of buying them in sets. Further my observation, one of the booths was selling mint stamps with NOT as good condition ( mostly toning on the gum ) at value below face, this was another good news for me, I could pay less to purchase a mint stamp for creating an MC. Yes, the stamp matter was solved, BUT where to look for the relevant postcards ? ( although, I did bring along a few postcards which I thought I must create them as MCs.) Hei, there it was, a Thai booth at one corner was selling many Thai postcards of the 60s/70s at very very reasonable price i.e 2.5 baht (25 sen) per piece, this was another great news for me. On the 4th day of the exhibition, I patronised the dealer's booth to buy up the postcards I wanted ... with 2.5 baht a piece, I still enjoyed further discount on a bulk purchase. I began my journey of searching single stamps at the various Thai booths and had my MCs cancelled by the experienced Thai postal staffs. Well , a fruitful trip of creating MCs.
If there were no single stamps available at the booths, and there were no postcards available for sale, I do NOT think I would be able to create the lot of MCs.

Result for the the Maximaphily exhibits @ Bangkok 2010

The performance of the Maximaphily exhibits @ Bangkok 2010 was below expectation, Exhibits previously exhibited had been downgraded due to the present of FAKE maximum cards. Maximum card collectors are therefore to be very cautious in purchasing Classic Maximum Cards. The Fake MCs are made from Genuine postcard, Genuine stamp, however, the postmarks are FAKE. The result of the 3 maximaphily exhibits present at Bangkok is as follows :

1. Wild Animals - We cannot have a world without them  65 SB : Author - Song Ying Tao (China)
2. A general consideration of the bridge shape 72 S : Author - Chung Jung Su ( Korea )
3. Roof 65 SB : Author - Song Heng ( China )

Numerous Fake Maximum Cards were detected in the competitive exhibits @ Bangkok 2010

Fake Maximum cards were detected in all the 3 maximaphily exhibits @ Bangkok 2010, this is giving an alarming signal to the Juries on the serious intrusion of such unwelcoming materials in the philately world. The discovery of the appearance of increase quantities of such fake materials in a competitive exhibition , meaning that Maximaphily is getting popular, where the existence of classic MCs is scarce, unethical dealers will try to produce fake materials to make avail to the collectors. Obviously, more MC collectors are looking for classic materials which are really scarce during the period of time. These fake MCs are mainly coming from the Europe. Collectors are therefore be warned to be more careful in the purchase of Classic maximum cards. The federation of philately is ready to take stern action against the increasing Faking activities of the Maximum Cards which are becoming serious in the recent years. Collectors therefore are advised to be equipped with adequate philatelic knowledge to be able to identify such fake Maximum Cards. FIGHT Against Fake ! Well, these fake MCs were mainly created from reprint postcards with original stamp in fresh condition, cancelled with a FAKE postmark cancellation privately produced.

Thailand is a stronghold for Traditional Philately, ONLY a few collectors were seen creating MCs.

Thailand is a stronghold for traditional philately. I could ONLY see a few collectors busy creating MCs on the first day of the opening At the  Bangkok 2010  exhibition venue. I could NOT find relevant postcards for the stamp issue.. so, I was unable to create an MC. I am yet to explore whether there are any postcard dealers around so that I can find some good postcards. Had been busy for the last 2 days with the official duty, had no time to visit the booths at all. Malaysian Post is represented here .. here it is the photo.

There are 3 maximaphily exhibits on display in the competitive class @ Bangkok 2010:

1. ROOF - a display of all types of roofs

2. Bridges - a display of all shapes of bridges on MCs

3. Animals - a display of all kinds of animals on MCs { this is a topic of Dorin's favourite}

Confusion over Lotus and Water lily 荷花与莲花-冯京当马凉

There are too many things and facts to learn in life. In the past, I will NOT take seriously to differentiate a lotus from a water lily. It is Maximaphily that made me to make  "study" on these flowers as I need to create a best concordant maximum card . However, no matter how careful I am, the selection of a postcard does slip at times.  I had picked a water lily postcard to realise an MCwith a stamp of a lotus - I was misled by the description written on the rear of the postcard which indicated  the flower is a lotus. Now by Further reading on the subject,  I know the easiest way to differentiate a water lily from a lotus - Leaves of water lily float on water surface, leaves of the lotus grow beyond the water surface.  However, be careful when the pond is grown with both water lily and lotus, the differentiation by the leaves of the plants will NOT work, so the differentiation has to come from the flowers themselves of which I will NOT elaborate here. Anyway, maximaphily makes me learn, and it is the mistake that I made on the creation of a card that keeps me remembering on the subject.  Ha, the above MC is definitely a LOTUS, there is no doubt about it !

• A maximum card created with "Garden Flowers - Lotus" stamp issued on 1.7.2010, FDI Pictorial Cancel @ Seremban

How I wish I could have this Maximum Card postmarked at Semporna post office ..

Sipadan Island is a well known underwater paradise for the sea divers. How I wish I could have this maximum card postmarked at a post office near to this paradise resort. There is no post office  on the island, and the nearest post office is located at Semporna on the mainland Sabah. I could send this maximum card to  Semporna post office to request for a relevant postmark, however, due to the many incidents of cards lost in the mail, I had given up sending cards to individual post offices requesting for a postmark cancellation.

• A maximum card realised with "threatened habitat - green turtle" stamp issued on 15.7.2010, FDI pictorial cancel @ Kuantan, Pahang

It is a "NOKIA" Ad Card, I covered the "KIA", leaving the "NO" - Hence, A message "NO to Rubbish Dump!"

This advertisement postcard with an otter came ashore hunting for food bore a large advertiser name "NOKIA" on the basket. In order to disguise the large lettering word of "NOKIA", I had affixed the stamp over the "KIA", leaving behind a "NO" - The message on the card can then be interpreted as " NO to Rubbish Dump". An Ad Card immediately turns into a meaningful postcard. You can make wonder in Maximaphily. Enjoy !

If I cover "NO", leaving "KIA" , it becomes the name of the  Korean Car Manufacturer- KIA Motors.
I believe KIA workers in Korea will NOT use "NOKIA" brand handphones, for it says " NO KIA ". It's Fun with the words.

• A maximum card realised with "Threatened Habitat - otter" stamp issued on 15.7.2010, FDI Pictorial Cancel @ Jerantut.

I am NOT a diver, I missThe many Exotic Sea lives of Malaysia BUT I do dive in a virtual world via Maximaphily

There are many exotic sea lives harbouring at the coast of  the many islands in the  East and West Malaysia  which are ideal paradises for the divers e.g the World famous Sipadan Island , Layang-layang Island etc. These islands attract millions of visitors from all over the world to Malaysia. I am Not a diver, of course , I miss the opportunity of diving to see the exotic undersea world, however, I do dive in a virtual world of the Maximaphily, I do see the many exotic sea lives via these beautiful maximum cards.

• A maximum card realised with "threatened habitat - sea lives" stamp issued on 15.7.2010, FDI pictorial cancel @ Kuantan

Is the hobby Maximaphily contradicting to the appeal for SAVING OUR EARTH campaign?

Maximaphily's principal medium , the postcard is made from paper , the source of which is from the TREES. The more maximum cards you create, the more postcards you demand, and hence the more trees to cut down . Is this hobby contradicting to the SAVE OUR EARTH appeal ?  Above is a maximum card realised with a WWF Save the Earth appeal postcard.  Appealing NOT to cut down trees and yet producing more  papers, are they contradicting to each other ?

• A maximum card realised with "Cut no trees" stamp issued on 15.7.2010, FDI pictorial cancel @ JERANTUT