Still pondering whether to jump into maximaphily ???????

Are you still hanging at the cross road pondering whether to jump into maximaphily ? Are you discouraged by the existence of ONLY a handful collectors around hence it is NOT a hobby to be pursued ! I can tell you that maximum cards are NOT like postage stamps which are produced in bulk, maximum cards are realised by collectors, usually they are small in numbers. Maximum cards will NOT drop from the sky, and they are NOT stocked in Post Offices or in the dealers's hand waiting for you to purchase at any time in the future. If one does NOT realise a maximum card, there will be NO maximum card in existence. Don't look at me, I can't help you in any way to acquire maximum cards .. you need to learn to fish for yourself . Don't come back and tell me in 10 years from now that you feel regret for NOT realising any MCs in the past. I will like to listen to what you say in the year 2020!

Have you found your perfect match yet ?

Have you found your perfect match yet ? What I mean is the 3 in 1  match criteria in maximaphily, and if you have found ONE and done a perfect Maximum Card by yourself , Congratulations ! If you have NOT yet found a perfect match, Not to worry, there are opportunities ahead awaiting you to accomplish. New stamps are coming up each month , certainly, there will be ONE for you to accomplish the perfect match. Good Luck in the fun of creating maximum cards.

It has to be YOU to make the first move indulgence in Maximaphily

To realise a Good Maximum Card, one will have to get his hands down to work on a maximum card oneself. There are sweats and sorrows in the process of realising a maximum card which every maximaphilist who had his hands worked on an actual maximum card would be able to tell how "difficult" it is to correlate the stamp, the postcard and the postmark in the finished product. Yes, probably, you may have heard someone says, isn't it a simple job to cancel the stamp on the card, in a matter of seconds, a maximum card is done! I will like to invite YOU to have a personal hand on try to look for a matching postcard, have a concordant stamp affixed on it, and make a good cancel of a related postmark on the card. I will like to congratulate you if you are able to succeed in creating a perfect MC on your first trial. Will like to listen to your experience in the process of creating a maximum card. GOOD LUCK and enjoy collecting and creating MCs.

Let TIME proves itself the popularity of Maximaphily

Although maximaphily is NOT new, in comparison to the other classes of philately e.g traditional, postal history, aerophilately etc., maximaphily is still "unknown" to many stamp collectors. Take Malaysia as an example, there are thousands of stamp collectors, however, there is ONLY a handful of maximum card collectors. Somehow, I find maximaphily  exciting , I cannot resist to realise a Maximum Card for each new stamp issue locally. I can see a few new collectors joining in the "spree" of realising maximum cards, it is a sign of the hobby gradually picked up by Malaysians. I am sure Time will prove the popularity of the hobby in Malaysia and I hope one day Maximum Card will be the STAR featured on the cover page of the internationally known TIME magazine as what is shown as the MC above , an MC which I had realised with a TIME promotional advertisement card on the "Medical Excellence" stamp issued on 26th April, 2010.

What else can I eye on ... of course Maximum Cards

What else can I eye on .. needless to say - I am eying on every opportunity to realise a good Maximum Card. The difficulty lies on the availability of matching postcards for a theme. I find commercial Advertisement cards are excellent materials for the realisation of maximum cards, without Ad Cards, I believe I shall NOT be able to realise many MCs to match. 

What an excellent caption on the above Ad Card : I am TALENT .. talent in Maximaphily.

Put your hands on Maximaphily

Maximaphily is no doubt an exciting philately hobby. Put your hands on maximaphily, you will feel the excitement of the creation of your own maximum cards. There is always opportunity for you to create a maximum card with the new stamp issue. The choice is yours, don't let the opportunity slips away. It is always NOT to late to create a maximum card. Why NOT do it today !

I can't afford a submarine, I can have an MC of it.

Educate the youngs to collect and create Maximum Cards

Tiger

Malaysian Coins captured on MCs

You - take the lead in Maximaphily

Thanks Nahum, my friend, for this wonderful Dolphin MC from Israel

Pasar - the Malaysian Market

Malaysian BATIK

Tiger

Tiger in Chinese painting

Tiger

Tiger

Tiger in painting

TIGER

Tiger in RPPC

Real photo post card in Black & White for MCs appeals to me

I like RPPC (real photo PC) for realisation of maximum cards.

TIGER

Think Positively in Maximaphily

Maximaphily is the ONLY class in FIP which allows the collectors to create their own philatelic items, Hence, collectors are given a FREE Hand to create  collectibles abiding to a certain guidelines and rules. Think positively in maximaphily, you are ONLY a step away from the exciting hobby.

Popularise MCs to make them available at Market one day !

Popularise Maximum Cards, perhaps, one day you will find maximum cards are available in the local Market places too !

MS stamps occupy space on MCs - Malaysian FERN

MS stamps are often larger in size than the normal stamps and the stamp face value is often many times more expensive than the normal stamps. Malaysia POST issues MS for a majority of the stamp issues. As a maximaphilist, I will try to realise the MS stamp on MCs if I am able to find relevant postcards to match the subject. Personally, I do NOT like large MS stamp on MCs as the stamp occupies a large proportion of the postcard picture. Anyway, whether the MC is aesthetically appealing OR not, it is a piece of record in my ALBUM on the Malaysian maximaphily.

Petai - A wildly grown "Vegetable" found in Malaysian Forest

Petai

Always Pursue for a close 3 in 1 in maximaphily

I will always pursue for a close 3 in 1 in the realisation of a maximum card i.e the stamp, the post card and the postmark (3 elements) are closely tied in subject, place and time. It is like a properly blended 3 in 1 coffee, the coffee tastes perfect and gives you the satisfaction. In a 3 in 1 blended coffee, the coffee, the creamer and the sugar have to be blended in good proportion, and the 3 elements are to be present in the 3 in 1 coffee to give you the perfect coffee taste. Salt , pepper and other spices cannot be blended into the coffee , coffee is coffee. MC is like a 3 in 1 coffee, other elements which are irrelevant cannot be simply tied on to an MC. Many MC collectors or creators tend to neglect the importance of the place of concordance ( the postmark ) on an MC. The postmark on the MC is just like one of the 3 important elements that constitutes a 3 in 1 coffee, without the proper ingredient of the postmark, the MC loses its taste. No matter how matching is the stamp and postcard, if the postmark is irrelevant , the MC loses its attraction and I will say, its value too! The place of concordant ( the postmark ) ties the stamp to the postcard on an MC providing the subject a connection and link. People always tie a certain food speciality to a place/town where the food originates e.g Coffee may be associated with Muar/Ipoh (Malaysia) etc, and many people will find their way to stop by these towns to purchase/taste the original food speciality. Why do people fancy original flavour food ? Yes, it is the original taste that gives one the satisfaction ! Similarly in Maximaphily, a truly concordant card gives a pure maximaphilist the true feel of satisfaction.  Do it , pursue for the perfection - the satisfaction is with you. Mind you, DO Not waste your postcard which does NOT come by easily to realise a non-concordant MC. A non-concordant MC is like a cup of poorly blended coffee! Enjoy collecting.

Malaysia - Korea joint issue on Tigers

Date of Joint Issue : 23.2.2010

Place of cancellation : Jerantut, Pahang

Footprints of the Tiger

Malayan Tiger ONLY exists in West Malaysia

Date of Issue : 23.02.2010

Place of Cancellation : JERANTUT - the Gateway to National Park

Metamorphisis - You must have a complete change to get the feel

Hobby is NOT something that is DEAD and fixed , Collecting stamps has been a hobby for a long history, a change in the traditional way of collecting stamp is necessary to boost the interest of the collectors - YES, maximaphily chips in perfectly as a branch of philately, it involves with stamps and gives more pleasure in the hunting of postcards and reallising of the maximum cards. Take a ride of the growing trend of the hobby and hope you will enjoy it.

A Toast ....

A toast to all maximaphilists ... Have another year of fun with realising maximum cards locally and abroad. Cheers .

I Love Maximaphily

I love Maximaphily, I love to realise maximum cards. Maximaphily is a branch of philately which allows a philatelist to create a philatelic product of his own. No one can print a stamp, however, one can freely produce a maximum card. Maximaphily is fun filled, exciting and satisfying. If you have NOT started to create a maximum card of your own, start now ... it is never too late to it.

The days when we were young ...

When we were lads, we were wild. We used to catch fish in the streams, looking for fighting spiders, flying kites in the fields, those days were filled with fun and joy. Glad to see stamps are going "young" and better with the Maximaphily, I can create whatever I like with the stamps attached on it.

A card I realised ages ago ....

 That was many years back I did this MC without knowledge of the FIP rules and guidelines. A complete set of stamps was affixed on the card, of course, as reviewed by the current FIP rules and guidelines for Maximaphily, this card does NOT qualify to be a maximum card by definition. However, this is one of the early cards I have realised, I still treasure it in my album. 

The King of all fruits - Durian

This is the King of all Fruits of Malaysia - the DURIAN. Durian is a seasonal fruit, normally, the tree bears fruit twice a year. Durian will be seen everywhere when the fruit bearing season approaches. Most of the Malaysians like to eat the fruit, however, most of the foreigners seem to deter away from it for the strong scent it has.

1 MALAYSIA dessert - Ice Kacang

Ice Kacang OR "ABC" is a cold dessert favoured by Malaysians of all races. This dessert is Sold by all corners of Malaysia , hence, it can be qualified as a typical 1-MALAYSIA food .

Farewell 2009 !

Farewell to 2009 ! 2010 New Year countdown is getting ready at most of the city squares and shopping centres where crowds will gather to celebrate the new year. Popular spots for new year countdowns in Malaysia are Dataran Merdeka ( Merdeka Square ), KLCC etc., I will NOT join the youngs to fire crackers and dance to the music at these countdown events, I will have this fire cracker MC to celebrate the NEW YEAR ... Happy 2010 .

Cheers ! A Happy New Year to All MC lovers.

Cheers to All. A Happy New Year 2010 . Regret to note that LONDON 2010 - the first international philatelic exhibition of the year fails to put up MAXIMAPHILY as a class of FIP exhibition. The organiser for the show needed to be condemned for this as it is NOT healthy for the promotion of philately in general. Maximaphilists should boycott the show at LONDON and giving supports to other shows of the year e.g PORTUGAL 2010. Maximaphilists should NOT be upset with the decision made by LONDON 2010, it is NOT a big deal really, Maximaphily exhibits displayed at CHINA 2009 at Luoyang attracted thousands of collectors , LONDON 2010 is losing on one hand . I shall be glad to see an international show purely with Maximaphily exhibits in the near future.
A HAPPY NEW YEAR ! 新年快乐!

Malaysia MCs on "China Maximaphily" issue No.4/2009 released on 22.12.2009

2009 is coming to an end, Yes, it is a fruitful year for me in terms of realisation of MCs, quite many stamps could be used on MCs. I have compiled the MCs and published them in the "China Maximaphiliy" Journal Vol.4/2009 which was just released in Nanjing, China. The joy of Maximaphily is able to share the beauty of the MCs with others. Yes, looking forward to 2010 to realise more MCs.

My 1-Malaysia MC appeared on the PSM Journal vol.2/2009 cover page

I did the Maximum Card on the theme "1-Malaysia". I am glad that this MC was adopted as the cover story for the Philatelic Society Malaysia Journal Vol.2/2009 which was published on the 19th December,2009.  This unique card is a postal stationery card issued by Singpost to celebrate its National Day in 2009. The picture shows different ethnic groups holding hands in hands which match correctly to the picture depicted on the stamp on 1-Malaysia.

Malaysia National Exhibition - MyStamp Show 2009 : 19-20 Dec.2009

Philatelic Society Malaysia has its National Exhibition i.e MyStamp Show 2009 held from 19-20 December, 2009 at MBPJ Library, Petaling Jaya. The exhibition attracted 18 exhibitors to participate - a maximaphily exhibit was submitted earlier, however, withdrawn at the last minute. Will like to see new maximaphily exhibits for the coming year show in 2010.

Childhood Hobby Game - Spider Fighting

Spider fighting is a popular childhood game, I remembered we used to hunt for the spiders among bushes and kept these pets in cigarette or match boxes. We fed the spiders with the heads of the small flies, and looked around for friends to challenge a fight with their pets. Those were the days, the children of today will NOT know what is Spider Fighting . It was real fun indeed with this cheap childhood hobby.

High Value MS on Maximum Card - Scorpion 13.12.2009

Asian Forest Scorpions are dark brown to black, with most species sporting a green or blue tint in certain lighting. They are hardy scorpions, in that way can be kept in groups of three or more.  Asian Forest Scorpions are found in rainforest habitat of peninsular Malaysia. The creatures are commonly packed as specimens in cases and exported as a Malaysian Souvenir item.

Postmark Cancellation : A related canceler from the 2009 Stamp week featuring a Scorpion dated 13.12.2009 ( Available from the Venue : Dataran Pahlawan, Melaka)

A "maxifoto" of the DYMM Sultan of Selangor

DYMM Sultan of Selangor (The Majesty was the Royal Prince then) visited Philatelic Society Malaysia's Booth during the 2000 Bukit Jalil Stamp Show, that was my first close encounter with the DYMM when I was introducing a philatelic exhibit to the Majesty. I took the opportunity to realise a "maxifoto" with the new stamp issue of the installation of the DYMM Sultan of Selangor.

DYMM Sultan Selangor - A Keen Philatelist

His Majesty DYMM Sultan of Selangor is the Royal Patron of the Philatelic Society Malaysia and a keen philatelist. The Majesty owns a fabulous collection of the SELANGOR. A Royal Exhibition was organised to mark the Royal Patronage  was held at the Palace Selangor, Kuala Lumpur in October, 2008. It was really an eye opener for me to be able to have a close glance at  the complete collection of the SELANGOR in leather bound albums. There are many GEMS in the Royal collection of the DYMM Sultan of Selangor. I was honoured to have an audience with the Majesty  at the Royal Office of the Sultan in Kuala Lumpur.

Year ends and year begins

Time flies, it is another new year round the corner, 2009 is coming to an end, and 2010 is approaching ,  it is a year ends and another new year begins. I remembered a year ago, I had this unique card 2008-2009 ( an ad card of course!) duly postmarked with a X'mas theme stamp on the last day of the year 2008 and a Chinese New Year theme stamp on the first day of the year 2009. The stamps had been carefully chosen to match with the subject, as X'mas normally falls during the end of the year in December, and the Chinese New Year in 2009 falls during the first 2 months of the year. Many will deny that this is a maximum card as it violates to the FIP rules. However, I realised the card to treasure as the 2008/2009 card will NOT be able to be realised as a maximum card forever, as the time passed is past. I would think instead of keeping the postcard bare, it is more meaningful to have appropriate stamps affixed on them and datestamped to make it more like a MAXIMUM CARD! I do NOT know whether all the friends around will like my card. Kindly comment and a Happy NEW YEAR to all.

Maximum Cards are ideal Gifts to Friends

Yes, maximum cards can be ideal gifts to friends. Maximum cards created by you have a personal touch in them. Your friends will be touched by receiving your special gifts. Your maximaphily friends will love to receive them, keep and treasure them. Xmas and the New Year is around the corner, will like to wish all of you in the Maximaphily World - a fruitful year in creating wonderful maximum cards.