A unique exhibition of German stamps of over 54-years

MANGALURU: The philatelic club of St Aloysius High School and laboratory of Applied Biology, St Aloysius College are presenting a unique exhibition of German Stamps received on letters addressed to a single Indian Citizen, Dr Leo D’Souza over 54 years (1963 – 2017).

Dr Leo D’Souza had done his theology studies in Frankfurt, Germany from 1962 to 1966 and his Ph.D and post doctoral studies at the Max-Planck Institute at Cologne, Germany from 1966 till 1972. During these years he had made a large number of friends from all over Germany. The friends kept contact with him after his return to India by visiting him and sending him letters and greeting cards.

Charles Lobo, chief post master general,

Karnataka Circle

will inaugurate the exhibition on November 8 at 2pm in the St Aloysius College auditorium. German friends of Fr Leo D’Souza - Frank Heuer, Monika Heuer and Robert Heuer will be present at the inauguration.

The exhibition has about 1700 Commemorative stamps and Definitives. There also about 100 letters and post cards. They are of the following categories:

“DEUTCHES BUNDESPOST” till 1995 issued by West Germany (

Deutsche Bundesrepublik

) and “DEUTSCHES BUNDESPOST, BERLIN“ issued by the Western part of

Berlin

consisting of the American, British, and French occupation sectors.

After about 1957, Berlin stamps closely mirrored the same stamp issues of the

Federal Republic of Germany

, with the only difference being the addition of the word "Berlin" to the legend on the postage stamps.

“DEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK (DDR) issued by “East Germany till the fall of the Berlin Wall “DEUTSCHLAND” issued after the privatization of the

German Post

in 1995. The Exhibition will be open till 5pm on November 9.