Potter stamps in Britain

This postage might not get letters delivered faster, but Britain’s Royal Mail predicts fans will find its series of Harry Potter stamps magical.
The Post Office will issue a series of seven stamps on July 17 depicting the covers of each of J.K Rowling’s books about the boy wizard.
Millions of the stamps will be issued just before the series’ final volume, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, goes on sale July 21. The commemorative stamps are part of the Post Office’s tradition of celebrating “social themes and important occasions central to our way of life”, said a Royal Mail spokeswoman. Rowling’s fantasy series has sold more than 325 million copies worldwide.

Postal Services In The World

Northern Europe

United Kingdom - Denmark - Estonia - Finland - Iceland - Ireland - Lithuania - Norway - Sweden

Where the hobby has an artistic stamp

From stamps that smell of roses and sandalwood to those with the head of the calm Buddha, to that containing the image of RM. Alagappa Chettiar, the Puducherry Head Post Office’s Philately Bureau is a place where stamp collectors will rejoice. The bureau has good collection of stamps in its own albums and also sends newly released stamps to its 837 philately account-hollers of whom 167 are quite new.

“They have joined us after our exhibition of stamps held in November and more children are evincing interest in joining as members since they get stamps or covers worth Rs.200, which is the initial amount that they have to pay to become members. There is no membership fee as such,” V. Santhanaraman, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices told The Hindu.

Recently a meeting of members of the Philately Bureau was held and 100 of them turned up. They exchanged contacts so that they could exchange stamps and information. The post office plans to organize such meetings once in three months. The bureau has been in existence since the 1990s and sends stamps in singles or sheets or in fours or first-day covers or topical stamps and also info sheet if opted for by the member.

“Stamp collection is done only in the initial stages. After a few days, the collectors try to exchange stamps and get stamps that are needed for the specific topic that they are interested in. At this stage only vendors and exhibitions keep stamp collectors interested. People also get stamps from used foreign letters”, added Mr. Santhanaraman. Himself a stamp collector in the past, his daughters now collect stamps.

“We also go to schools regularly and ask them to start philately clubs for the children. We take our application forms to schools and also conduct regular workshops in schools on how to collect and preserve stamps,” said R.P. Balaji, Public Relations Inspector.

Anyone can become a member of philately bureau here on any working day between 10 am and 5 pm or can contact Mr. Balaji on +91 413 – 2336532 or +91 9443577115.

Thematic or Topical Philately

In contrast to Traditional Philately, which is based on geographical entitles such as stamps of a particular put together stamps on a specific theme, topic or subject. Thus, while a missing stamp of a particular series of a specific period or country may be a matter of concern to a traditional philatelist who wishes to complete the set, the thematic philatelist would only took for thematic relevance of stamps, irrespective of its other contexts. The variety in themes that philatelists have presented through stamps has been delightfully fascinating. Any philatelic material can be collected related to a theme which in addition to postage stamps includes the varieties of postal stationary, aero philatelic cachets, postmarks and maximum cards.

Significantly enough, postal administrations have adopted issuing policies that have actively encouraged thematics as a venture specially for the youth class, for whom it constitutes a veritable mine of information and education. This calls for the combined ingenuity of the postal administration, the printer, the philatelists and the subject-matter experts. In fact, there is hardly any subject of general interest that does not have a good set of stamps on it, but thematic philatelists come up with the most unique and novel ideas in relating a philatelic item to a chosen theme. these relationships involve classifications of themes taken from a broader subject of choice , their further sub-classifications and its sub-classifications. Sri Vishnu S. Saksena, for instance, has devoted an entire book on the theme of India’s freedom movement, entitled: “India’s Freedom Struggle Through India Postage Stamps.”

Thus thematic philatelists would like single, prominent themes to be pictured forcefully on stamps rather than multiple themes or commemorative set of stamps.

Indian stamps are very rich in thematic variety, specially on the freedom movement and its personalities, great men and women of various walks of life, Indian art and culture, flora and fauna. Nevertheless, there is a need to bring out many more stamps on areas of scientific discoveries and inventions, technological developments and medical advances that have taken place the world over and specially in India. These stamps will be extraordinary rich in their education value to the youth and children.

Postal Stationery

When the Penny Black was released in May 1840, there were only two philatelic items worth collecting:
• The postage stamp just released, and
• The postal stationery wrapper, the Mulready

Ever since then, the range of collections have incredibly diversified and we have now a separate class of collection called Postal Stationery. Though the number of philatelists specializing in Postal Stationery is relatively small, nonetheless, the presentation lends a special attractiveness to philatelic exhibitions because of its rarity and also because these items being larger in size have to be artistically or thematically presented.

Postal Stationery collections cover all postal items with a postage stamp on them or which bear in some manner or other, impressions for pre-payment of postage for use of the postal services (and not merely the pre-payment of stationery charge).

It includes items bearing postage prepayment indications even if the value is not mentioned, called Non-value Indicator or NVI items. Items of private stationery whether stamped or printed (STPO of PTPO), but conforming to the postal regulations of the countries area also included as Postal Stationery. Many items where no pre-payment of postage is involved, such as Money Order forms, Acknowledgement Cards, ‘On Postal Service’ mail, internal mail of the Armed Forces or the Railways etc. and items bearing symbols of prepayment but where postage is actual paid later, are not included.

Generally speaking, Postal Stationery includes illustrated or plain types of postcards, envelopes, registered envelopes, aerogrammes, letter cards, parcel bags and also postal forms of various kinds. Article 3 pf SREV even includes wrappers or newspaper bands. All classes of mail are included such as those sent by surface post or by air, inland or foreign, by registration, by special deliveries, inland and foreign telegraphs. Postal receipts issued by post offices for various postal transactions or for fees charged or other documents such as Postal Orders etc. can also be included and are collected by philatelists to represent their variety or history or some speciality about them.

Many postal administrations today include Postal Stationery items in their issuing programmes, specially since philately is not limited just to postage stamps and since philatelists attend to bring out novel thematic correlations between stationery items and stamps in their presentations. For instance, the LA POSTE or the Belgium Post brings out splendid designs on their postcards, and also attractive tourist cards of higher values to be sold at tourist resorts.

Postal History

To a philatelist, the “postal history” of a nation – the development of its postal services – is as important as its political history, if not more. Postal History consists of collections of stamps that delineate, not the political history of a nation, but the history of its Post Office.

The history and development of the postal services, postal rates, postal markings, mail carriers and their lines and stages, postmen’s uniforms and such other items as seen in used or mint stamps. For the ardent student of philately, India provides perhaps the richest and most varied wealth of materials for Postal History.

Postal History exhibits are arranged in a way as, to show the history and development of the chosen aspect of the postal services. Consequently, FDCs are not normally included in a Postal History presentation unless they have been used in course of transmission by post. But Postal History may also contain such items as prints or maps or brochures or news items and cuttings or extracts from books and other material, provided they are relevant to the main subject or relevant to the concerned postal administration. Many philatelists believe that Postal History is really a sub-set of Traditional Philately. However, a Postal History presentation is a very difficult one, usually made by senior philatelists specializing in this area. I have once seen the history of Railway Mail Service of India being exhibited side by side with the history of the Indian Railways by an enthusiastic philatelist, in which among other items, the date-stamps and postage-due stamps impressed by RMS Sorting Sections on letters posted to these Sections by the public at various railway stations, had been presented starting right from the beginnings of the RMS in India.

Traditional Philately

This is the basis of all philately and what we all generally mean by stamp collection as a hobby. All stamps relating to a particular country or a region or a postal administration issued, say, over a particular period or certain philatelic items issued during that period come under this category.

Postage stamps, miniature sheets, FDCs, varieties in cancellations and postmarks, postal stationery of various types and other philatelic products, all are included in this category, but presented historically.

Archival items such as artist’s drawings, essays, proofs, printer’s specimens and other rare items, can also form a part of this category. Some stamps are of immense value. The world’s most valuable stamp is the famous British Guiana one-cent magenta stamp with Demerara postmark dated 4-4-1856 as there is only one copy available of this stamp. It sold for $ 935, 000 at a New York auction in 1980.

Philately- Its Classes of Collections

We shall now go over to the growing classes of philately. Under article 5 of the GREX Regulations, the FIP approved competitive classes (for FIP exhibitions) are ten in number:

Traditional Philately, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately, Thematic Philately, Maximaphily, Philatelic Literature, Youth Philately, Revenue and Astrophilately

Any other exhibit of special philatelic interest can also be included and this can constitute, what one might call, a 11th class or a class on its own.

The SREV provides regulations for the evaluation of exhibits of each approved class and provides for constituting a special jury for the 11th class. The non-competitive or invitee classes include the Court of Honour or exhibits of exceptional significance, the Official Class (exhibits from postal authorities, postal museums, postage stamp printers and postage stamp designers and engravers), the Jury Class and other non-competitive classes consisting of exhibits of special interest.

Philately- Its Educational Value

As a primer on philately, I shall first analyse the various classes of collections that philatelists internationally recognize, and subsequently, highlight the inestimable educational value of philately a hobby among children and the youth.

Fortunately, in comparison to many other hobbies and pursuits, philately is internationally well organized. The International Federation of Philately (the FIP), which was set up in 1926 at Zurich, aims to promote philately and philatelic exhibitions, friendly relations amongst peoples and also between philately traders and postal administrations. It is recognized by the Universal Postal Union as the official representative of philately. It’s regulations adopted since the Finlandia – ’88 exhibition provides a uniform basis for collecting, exhibiting and evaluating philatelic exhibits, and are contained in three documents:

* GREX or the General Regulations of FIP for Exhibitions,
* GREV or the General Regulations of the FIP for the evaluations of exhibits under the competition –class and the
* SREV or the Special Regulations of the FIP for the evaluations of competitive exhibits.
These rules are for conducting exhibitions held under the auspices of FIP at the international level, but other national level exhibitions endeavour to follow FIP regulations to the maximum extent possible for the sake of uniformity. The FIP also started an FIP – internet Competition in 1999 to adjudge the best website put up on philately.

The Universal Postal Union developed a ‘Philatelic Code of Ethics’ in its Beijing Congress of August, 1999 (Recommendation C70) which gives details for issuing policies and other matters related to philately, to be followed by the postal administrations of the member nations of the UPU. This code is being implemented by the World Association for the Development of Philately (WADP) – an independent body that works under the aegis of the UPU and its member postal administrations.

The WADP coordinates between the UPU and the four major philatelic associations of the world – one for Europe (Federation of European Philatelic and Associations), one for the Americas (Federation of Inter-American Federations) and one for Asia (Federation of Inter-Asian philately or FIAP) and the FIP.

Since dealers are an integral part of the philatelic industry, the constituent members of the WADP are the FIP, the International Federation of Stamp Dealers Associations (IFSD), the International Association of Philatelic Journalists (AIJP) and the International Publishers of Postage Stamp Catalogues, Stamp Albums and Philatelic Publications Association (ASCAT).

The Philatelic Congress of India (PCI) is the Indian body affiliated to FIP and FIAP.

Outlook for Future In Philately

The saga of Indian Philately – both pre-Independence and post-Independence – has been a fascinating and romantic one. Generations of collectors have grown up savouring the joys, thrills and challenges the hobby has to offer and many have carried their abiding interest in Philately to adulthood and old age. The same cannot be said of the present generation. What with various distractions in the present-day world – TV and Cable, Computers, Internet and Video games, sports and highly competitive academic pursuits, the youth of today have less inclination to pursue a serious hobby like philately. In fact, many of the senior collectors even find it difficult to bequeath their precious and painstakingly nurtured collection to their young ones. Thus the outlook for future is uncertain.

One way to regain the lost ground is to promote Philately through websites and Internet. Video games related to philatelic themes need to be devised and put on popular websites to attract the younger generation. Many educative and intellectual games and exercises with stamps can be designed to stir the imagination and ignite the minds of children. Only time will tell what the future of the hobby will be with all such efforts put in to promote it.

Philatelic Exhibitions

Holding of philatelic exhibitions periodically at different levels – District, Region, State, National and International – was one of the major steps taken by the Department of Posts since Independence. Exhibitions not only gave opportunity for collectors to display their collections and thus steadily improve and upgrade their collections but they enable public at large, especially children, to view excellent collections. Thus, many prospective and potential collectors get drawn to the hobby.

The first National Philatelic Exhibition was held in New Delhi in March 1948. It was organized by the P&T Department in co-operation with the Indian Institute of Art in Industry. A total of 121 exhibitors participated displaying exhibits on 132 themes including stamps of British Colonies, Indian States and Convention Stamps, India Postage stamps and Afghanistan. Besides, there were tow specialized collections of Indian Stamps of King George V and VI.

The first ever International Philatelic-cum-Postal Exhibition in India was held in New Delhi in 1954 on the occasion of the Centenary of Indian Postage Stamp. It was inaugurated by Pandit Nehru, Prime Minister, in the presence of Minister of Communications, Shri Jagjivan Ram. The Exhibition was held in a specially constructed hall with an area of 15,000 sq. ft. 79 Postal Administrations participated in the exhibition and as many as 17 countries sent official representatives. The highlight of the exhibition was part of Queen’s collection from U.K which was specially brought by Sir John Wilson, Keeper of the Royal collection. Also on display at this exhibition were rare exhibits of plates, dies and proofs from Thomas de la Rue of England who printed stamps of India for over 70 years till 1926 and Courvoisier of Switzerland who had the honour of printing 1948 Mahatma Gandhi issues. A special visitor to the Exhibition was Dr. Weber, Director-General of U.P.U.

Thereafter, number of National Philatelic exhibitions were held including those in 1970 (New Delhi), 1975 (Calcutta) and 1977 (Bangalore). And international exhibitions have been held – Asiana 77 Delhi). At the India -80 exhibition, the 1-cent British Guiana stamp, the only one of its kind available and considered the rarest and most valuable stamp in the world, was brought to India by its then owner, Irwin Weinberg, and displayed in a special bullet-proof glass case.

Philatelic Congress of India

Formation of a national philatelic body in India, the Philatelic Congress of India (PCI) in 1975 marks a watershed in the philatelic history of the country. For with this, the national body got formal affiliation with the world philatelic body, Federation Internationale de Philatelie (FIP). Philatelic regulations and conventions got codified both at National and International levels and conduct International exhibitions also got streamlined according to FIP regulations. In these efforts, the pioneering role played by late D.N Jatia, who was also the first Indian to become President of FIP, is worthy of mention. It will be no exaggeration to say that D.N Jatia was largely responsible for placing India prominently on the world philatelic map. Many prominent Indian philatelists not only won prestigious awards at International Philatelic exhibitions but also had the honour to serve as Jury in international exhibitions.

The contributions made by other eminent philatelists such as Jal Cooper, P.M Medhora, G.B. Pai, Dhirubhai Mehta, Vispi S. Dastur, L.G Shenoi and S.P Chatterjea to Indian Philately in the post-independence era cannot be forgotten.

National Seminar on Philately

A national Seminar on ‘Philately’ was organized on November 26 and 27, 1967 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi in which large number of prominent Philatelists, Artists and Printing experts participated. The Seminar was addressed by the then Minister of Communications Dr. Ram Subhag Singh and Minister of State, Shri I.K Gujral. It was attended by a total of 113 persons which included 24 eminent philatelists, 17 leading artists (including Jamini Ray, M. F Hussain, Krishen Khanna and Satish Gujral) and 11 printing experts. The philatelists included Jal Cooper, N.C Chandra, D.E Wadia, M. P Polson, N. D Cooper, Dhirubhai Mehta and General (Retd.) K.M Cariappa.

Three Working Groups deliberated comprehensively on 3 different areas: (i) General matters relating to Philately; (ii) Designing and Printing of Stamps and (iii) Sales Promotion and Publicity. The Seminar came up with a series of recommendations on development and promotion of the hobby which wee implemented over the next few years. These included:
i)Regular meetings of the Philatelic Advisory Committee (PAC) presided over by the Minister to decide proposals and themes on which stamps are to be issued.

ii)Meetings of Design Sub-Committee under the PAC to consider and approve designs of stamps, FDCs, etc, and suggest steps to improve the designs of stamps;

iii) Steps to popularize and promote philately;

iv) Improve publicity of philatelic issues;

v) Improve and expand the network for sale of stamps, FDCs, etc. at home to reach a wider segment of population.

vi) Promote sale of Indian stamps abroad; and

vii) Augment revenues from sale of philatelic items.

The implementation of the above measures led to all-round and robust growth of Indian Philately in 1970’s and 1980’s.

Post-Independence Era - Modernisation and Expansion

After Independence, Philately in India gained further momentum. Number of issues on varied themes-historical, cultural, artistic, developmental and scientific – came to be issued reflecting the rich heritage of the country. Series such as those on Mahatma Gandhi (1948), Archaeological series of definitive stamps (1949), Republic of India (1950), Indian Saints and Saint Poets (1952), Five-Year Plan series (1955) and Map of India series (1957) proved very popular among collectors. By 1971, India Security Press was equipped with a multi-coloured machine for printing stamps by photogravure process. With this, India started issuing multi-coloured stamps which added both colour and variety. Thereafter India has come out with many multi-coloured stamps and demand for Indian stamps in UK, USA, Japan and Australia. The network of Philatelic Bureaux and Counters across the country was expanded to make for easier access to Philatelists to new issues. By 1980 there were 30 Bureaux and 142 Philatelic Counters in the country, including 2 Bureaux and 2 Counters in the Army Postal Service.

The series of stamps on Birds, Wild Life, dances, Brides, Tribes, Flowers and Flowering Trees, Railway Engines and Airplanes, Adventure Sports etc. provided a delightful fare to thematic enthusiasts.

More Landmarks In Philately

The postal system grew in popularity and more philatelic issues in the form of stamps and postal stationery came into existence. Post Card was introduced on July 1, 1879 and 1-anna revenue stamp was introduced on September 1, 1886 replacing Indian Postal Notes introduced earlier on 1st January 1883. Other services introduced were VP system and Insurance in 1877, Certificate of Posting in 1878 and all these gave scope for new collectors’ items. Issue of stamps by some of the native States led to the creation of an entirely new and fascinating field for philatelists.

One of he major landmarks in Indian Philately towards the end of the 19th Century was the formation of the Philatelic Society of India (PSI) on March 6, 1897 by a band of British Philatelists serving in high civil and military ranks in India. in January 1897, the first philatelic journal was issued under the stewardship of Charles Stewart Wilson who also served as President of the Society from 1897 – 1906. Later, Charles Wilson became Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs. PSI had initially 550 members including 50 women which speaks of the popularity of the hobby even in those early days. The Philatelic Journal of India (PJI) carried many erudite articles on the early stamps, Telegraph stamps, Fiscals, native States issues and so on.

A most beneficent and lasting result of the formation of PSI and publication of the Journal was the organized and serious study of early Indian Philatelic issues leading to the publication of a number of well-researched works. Notable among these are ‘The Postage and Telegraph Stamps of India’ by L.L.R Hansburg, a magnum opus on the 1854 lithographs, ‘Early Indian Cancellations’ and ‘India Used Abroad’ by W.W Renouf and Sir Edward Bacon’s ‘The Proofs, Essays and Reprints of the First Issued Stamps of British India, 1854-55’ which were all pioneering studies. Other major works to follow were ‘The Half Anna India 1854’ and ‘The 4-annas Lithographed Stamps of India, 1854-55’ both by Col. D.R Martin and E.A Smythies, a ‘History of the Post Office in India’ by Geoffrey Clarke, who was the Director-General of P&T, ‘The Handstruck Postage Stamps of India’ by D. Hammond Giles. The PSI celebrated its Centenary in 1997 in a befitting manner and the eminent philatelist of Mumbai, Dhirubhai Mehta continues the good work of PSI and edits the journal, PJI.

The formation of the Empire of India Philatelic Society in Mumbai in December 1941 was another significant event. Jal Cooper, the well-known authority on Philately, served as its founder-Secretary. The EIPS acquired the publication ‘India’s Stamp Journal’ (which was started in January 1937) form a Swiss dealer, Mr. Neukom of M/s Philatelic Orient in October 1940. To begin with, EIPS had some 140 members and it grew from strength to strength, Jal Cooper worked hard for he popularization of philately till his demise in August 1972. He also wrote a popular column ‘Stamp News’ in the Illustrated Weekly of India, a popular Times of India publication, in the 1950’s and ‘60’s. The good work of EIPS is now being carried on by the Veteran Philatelist V.S Dastur.

Progress of Indian Philately - a Historical Perspective

Indian Philately has made significant strides over the last century and half. The journey which began in the 1850’s reached its pinnacle in the 1980’s and ‘90’s. the progress was particularly marked since Independence when Indian Philately registered many milestones – the Indian Post Office observed the Stamp Centenary in 1954, National and International exhibitions were held from time to time, a national seminar on ‘Philately’ was held in New Delhi in 1967 and the national philatelic body he Philatelic Congress of India, was formed in 1975. Indian Philately found its due place on the map of world philately. This paper proposes to trace the gradual but steady progress of Philately in India.

Pre-Stamp Era and Lithographs:
Though the first postage stamp in India –the ‘Scinde Dawk’ – was issued only in 1852 and the first all-India postage stamp in 1854, cancellations and tokens of pre-payment of postage were in vogue even prior to that. There was the Bishop mark and the 2 annas copper tickets which were introduced by the East India Company from 1774. Several other collections were also in use prior to the advent of the postage stamp. These form rich philatelic materials for collectors who specialize on the pre-stamp era.

However, with the issue of Lithographs from 1854, the hobby of philately got a fillip. A variety of issues appeared which offered a wide range of collection. These ‘Classics’ are now a rarity and are to be found with only a select group of collectors. Especially rare among these are the ‘Lion and Palm Tree’ essays (which wee never issued), half anna issue of 9 ½ and 8 arches and the inverted Head of Queen Victoria of which only very few issues are with collectors. From 1856 to 1926 when the India Security Press was set up, Indian stamps were printed by Messrs. Thomas de la Rue and Co. of London.

The Future In Philately - Stamp Collection

While the use of the letter mail has declined due to the e-mail, WILL and cell phones, the volume of parcel mail and mail articles consisting of small and large business packets and magazines or journals has rapidly increased the world over. The use of the postage stamp for these forms of mail will continue and certainly so, so long as the Post Office is in existence.

While couriers have made great strides, yet, in all countries of the world a national postal service has been found to be vitally essential in order to cover the length and breadth of the country for mail collection and delivery, for penetration into the interiors of rural countryside and for other sectors or special services which the couriers find to be non-profitable. Thus prospects for the postage stamp will continue always as ever to be bright and it is quite possible that newer roles for them will arise in the future.

END OF THE ARTICLE ROLES PLAYED BY POSTAGE STAMPS
By K.V.Sundar Rajan - Is the Postmaster General Western region Of Tamil Nadu State , India.

Reference:

1. Altman, D. Paper Ambassadors, Angus & Robertson, 1991

Role as Basis for Other Philatelic Products

In addition to postage stamps themselves, there are ranges of other philatelic products which also constitute a philatelist’s paradise and this range is constantly increasing. Postal stationery of various types, First Day Covers or FDCs or special cancellations or regular ones, and philatelic souvenirs are the usual items for lovers of philately.

Among postage stamps too, philatelists are eager to collect used and unused ones, issued in singles or as sets, and those used on covers, and bearing cancellations of the date-stamp of the office of posting or other special cancellations, or stamps without any cancellations. Philatelists also collect paper qualities and types of printing, varieties in perforations, watermarks and the gum used.

Some other items that are of great interest to philatelists for their rarity or value are: Essays, that is, stamp designs submitted but not accepted or accepted after alterations; proofs, which are sample prints of stamp designs and which includes die proofs, plate proofs and colour proofs; cachets, which are printed or hand-stamped or embossed text or graphic combinations impressed on cover; specimens or samples of printing.

However, flaws or errors in postage stamps perhaps tend to excite the philatelists most. These are stamps bearing a blemish in design due to the engraving, plate, making or printing process or any other errors in perforations, ink, lettering, double print etc., but which has been inadvertently issued by the postal administration to the public. Owing to their rarity and subject to their condition, these stamps have higher ‘market value’ in comparison to their face value, and also in comparison to what is known as ’constant variety’ or a flaw or error repeating throughout an issue or on a part of it.

Continued....

Role as Advertising Medium and Marketing Tools

Owing to the worldwide movement of postage stamps to all households round the globe, postal administrations have been quick to use them as marketing tools. Advertising on the back of the postage stamps started as way back as in the 1890s, specially by New Zealand and these stamps are a collector’s delight since each advertisement is meticulously preserved.

The face of the stamp is not normally used for advertisements, but the theme is integrated with the design, as for instance, stamps on the national air carriers such as the stamp on Inauguration of Indian Airlines Airbus of December 1976, Air India Boeing 747 Air mail issue of October 1979, or Qantas’s 50th anniversary issued by Australia Post. The usual area used is the selvage of stamps, the booklets, brochures, the interleaving and covers.

Market research in both developing and developed countries has revealed that mail with postage stamps on them are invariably opened by the addressees themselves, in contrast to mail that are machine franked. Consequently, a number of postal administrations have begun to use space on postal stationery as advertising media. In the business sector too, a collection of stamps is often given as a gift item along with other products or services sold and hence is a direct marketing tool.

Since postage stamps are pieces of miniature art in themselves, they are also used as a medium of communication and for promotion of the art, artifacts and other treasures of a nation. Some instances are the set on the paintings of Mithila, Indian jewelry, places promoting tourism like the multicolours on Centres of Culture and Tourism of June 1997, and many, many others.

Continued.....

Role as National Brand Images Calling Cards of the National Postal Service

Postal administrations of some countries have begun to issue stamps that are so unique to their country that people on merely seeing the stamps can identify the country to which the stamp belongs, without necessarily having to look for the name of the country or it’s currency. These postage stamps are brand images of their country. The USA and France and some other countries have developed specific designs and printing methods and have an ‘issuing programme’ that gives their stamps a distinct appearance.

Modern designs, as one can see in the stamps of the Netherlands Post Office, reflect the policies and innovations made in postal communications by that administration. Even where private couriers operate and deliver letters, it is the postage stamp that functions as the country’s calling card and as the symbol or icon of a particular national postal system. Thus a postage stamp carries the brand image of the national postal system both at the national and international levels.

Continued....

Role as Ambassadors and Promoters of the national Image

Postage stamps have done much to portray the history and culture, the flora and fauna, the great personalities and inimitable works of art of a nation and carry these portrayals abroad. This role is a most fascinating feature of postage stamps.

The various colourful sets, series and commemorative stamps issued by the Department of Post s of India over the years during the post-independence era, especially since the 1970’s – starting from the Indian Miniature Paintings of May 1973 – present an enormous range of themes in an attempt to cover the multi-coloured dimensions of India and Indian culture. These stamps are as educative as they are colourful and fascinating.

Some examples of setenants or series which give us a glimpse into India’s flora and fauna are the multicoloured series on Wildlife Preservation of October, ’63, Indian Birds Series of December, ’68 and April, 75, Indian Flowers of July, ’77, Flowering Trees of September ’81, Indian Trees of November ’87, Himalayan Peaks of May ’88, Indian Flowering Trees of October, ’93, Himalayan Ecology of May ’96, Indian Medicinal Plants of October, 1997, Sea Shells of India of December, 1998, Endangered Species: Asiatic Lion of October, 1999, Wildlife Deifnitive Series, a set of 10 stamps of 2000, four multicolours on Corals of India of July, 2001 and so on.

The commemorative issues on Temple Architecture series of Rameshwaram, Tryambakeshwar, Aundha Nagnath, Kedarnath Temples and the Sun Temple of Konark of December, 2001; the four multicolours on the Panchathantra issued in October, 2001; and on the Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, the Mahaparinirvana Temple, Kushinagar, the Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath issued on 21st January, 2002; and the more recent ones on Vishal Badri Temple, Badrinath, Mallikarjunaswamy Temple, Srisailam; Tripureswari Temple, Udaipur (Tripura) and Jagannath Temple, Puri issued on 15th September, 2003 – all take the essentials of Indian culture and spread it round the globe.

Denis Altman1 calls postage stamps as “paper ambassadors”. Postage stamps are depictions of a whole civilization in miniature. Their colourful designs like miniature art, present little fragment of history.

Continued....

Role As a Cash Equivalent

A postage stamp signifies the cash equivalent for the price paid for using the postal services. Some countries have also used postage stamps as currency during shortages of notes or coins of minor denominations. Some have used them as Revenue Stamps also, as for instance the 4 pence New Zealand stamp which has the words “Postage & Revenue” inscribed on it.

Indian Pictorials

While pre-independence stamps were mostly definitives or general issues and showed the head of a British monarch, the first pictorial stamps were issued in India quite late. The Air Mail services in India were commemorated in 1929 by issue of a set of 6 pictorial commemoratives in various colours. Al show a single engine bi-plane flying over a lake with mountains and trees in the background and include, the head of George the Vth. Thus, natural scenery was included for being shown on an Indian postage stamp.

This was followed tow years later by another set of 6 pictorial issues commemorating the Inauguration of New Delhi as the capital in 1931, and these stamps depict important Indian monuments and building such as the Round House (Indian Parliament), the Secretariat (Central Secretariat), India Gate, the Viceroy’s House (Rashtrapathi Bhawan) – and all include the head of George the Vth. Commemorating the Silver Jubilee of King George the Vth in 1935, seven more stamps were released depicting the Taj Mahal, Rameshwaram Temple, Gate Way of India, Victoria Memorial, Jain Temple, Calcutta, Golden Temple and the Buddhist Pagoda, Mandalay, Burma, then a part of India.

In 1936, eight pictorials were issued depicting on how postal mails were being carried in those days, he Transport Series: by a dak runner, dak bullock cart, dak tonga, by a dak camel, by a mail train, a ship, a car, and by a mail plane. These stamps are of great interest to Postal History lovers among the philatelists.

The three Jai Hind stamps of 15th August 1947, commemorate India’s elevation to dominion status and the four on Mahatma Gandhi, the first anniversary of independence. The first definitives issued in India were pictorials: the First Regular Archeological Series issued on 15th August, 1949 which cover much of the multifaceted culture and religions of India as depicted in various archeological monuments. These pictorials and commemoratives have given a tremendous impetus to stamp collection as a hobby.

In contrast to postage stamp collecting, Postal History emerged as a serious venture among philatelists of the world much later – from the 1930s, and since 1945 onwards we have seen the growth of Thematic Philately as a regular discipline.

At the base of the pyramid constituting the customers of philately are the ‘hoarders’ – the largest segment. Like children and those new to philately who collect all sorts of stamps they can find. ‘Collectors’ are a little more selective though they collect most items and constitute the medium segment of customers. ‘philatelists’ are serious collectors who know the value of each stamp or item they collect, and they constitute the smallest and upper most segment of the pyramid. Postal administrations need to foster all levels of the pyramid, including the philatelists since the latter provide the intellectual inputs or knowledge resources on philately to novices and others, thereby leading to the promotion of philately.

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Indian Postage Stamps

The world of Indian postage stamps is exceedingly rich, varied and fascinating, and truly constitutes a philatelist’s paradise. Indian philatelic collections are usually divided into two broad categories: pre – and post - independence stamps.

The first postage stamps ever to be issued in India were the Scinde District Dawk – four special issues of 1st July 1852 for Sind District. These were ‘embossed stamps’ for ½ anna issued during the East India Company days by the authority of Sir Bartle Frere, the Commissioner of Sind, and printed by M/s De La Rue & Co. of England. Theses stamps were imperforates, that is stamps without perforations on their sides. Each stamp was to be cut out from a sheet of stamps using any sharp instrument. They were issued in white, blue and scarlet colours and depicted East India Company’s broad arrow. However they soon became obsolete. Fascinatingly, one of the series was embossed on sealing wax-scarlet colour on shellac wafer, but these often got cracked, though I have seen an intact one displayed in an exhibition.

The Scinde District Dawk stamps were most unique because they were not only India’s first but also Asia’s first stamps, and they were also the ‘first round stamps’ ever to be issued in the world.

The postage stamps depicting the Head of Queen Victoria for ½ Anna in blue colour were the first general issues starting from April 1854 onwards, initially issued as imperforates and without gum. Interestingly, by an error of printing, some sheets of stamps bore the Queen’s head upside down – called an ‘invert error’- thereby creating the first ever printing error on stamps. These are invaluable collections and are philatelic items since they were useable as postage stamps.

After the assumption of the governance of India by the British Crown in November 1858, Queen Victoria stamps continued to be issued, but it is captivating to see that India was name as East India in these stamps-printed as ‘East India Postage’, a continuation of the East India Company nomenclature. Queen Victoria assumed the title of ‘Empress of India’ in January, 1877, and since then the Queen Victoria stamps bore the words, ‘India Postage’.

Queen Victoria’s reign was the longest for any British Monarch (1837 – 1901) and one can see the change in the youthful face of the queen of 21 years in the Penny Black and early Indian stamps, changing into that of a maturing empress in the issues around 1891 and thereafter.

After Queen Victoria, came the stamps depicting the Head of King Edward VII from May 1901, the Head of King George V from May 1911 and King George the VIth from December 1936. These pre-independence stamps are mostly definitives and were printed in England.

India began printing its own stamps from 1926. The India Security Press, Nasik prepared the designs for the Head of King Edward the VIIIth, the eldest son of George the Vth, to time its issue with the king’s coronation, but Edward acceded the throne in January 1936 and abdicated it in December 1936 in preference to marriage an American lady and the crown passed over to his younger brother, George Vth. These essays i.e. preliminary designs are very interesting besides being of priceless rarity.

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Hand Strucks and Franks

It is interesting to note that prior to the issue of postage stamps, postmark-like impressions or ‘franks’ were made on letters to indicate pre-payment of postage. In India they were called ‘hand-strucks’ or hand-struck stamps. Even today we have the service of postage-prepaid-in-cash for bulk mailers and a hand struck date-stamp as well as Franking Machines for the same.

The East India Company in India used hand-struck stamps in the three Presidencies of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras as way back as prior to and after 1837, the year when the Post Office Act came into effect, and rarities bearing these impressions are prized possessions of philatelists. Hand-strucks were also used by ex-territorial post offices of territories not coming under the domain of the East India Company or the Crown. Even today, various types of frank impressions of the world o postal mail are an item of philatelic delight.

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The Coming of Pictorials and Other Philatelic Items

What really gave a tremendous fillip to philately as an art or hobby was the coming of pictorial stamps, commonly called ‘pictorials’. These include pictorial definitives, pictorial commemoratives (issued to commemorate an event) and special issues (issued on special occasions), all of which depict the intrinsic beauty of a nation’s flora and fauna, its art and culture, its science and technological achievements. Multicouloured setenants or sets of stamps, issued with say two or four stamps in a set – like the set of four multicolours issued in June 1975 to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of Michelangelo, and ‘miniature sheets’ – like the Mahatma Gandhi MS miniature sheet with two issued on 2nd October, 1995 – have given a tremendous spur to thematic lovers, who look for unusual aspects of information brought out in the theme related to the country of issue or to other closely allied themes.

Though the Post Office was founded in Britain in as early as 1635 with primitive means of mail carriage, the first postage stamp ever to be issued in the world was the famous Penny Black issued in black ink on the 6th May 1840 for one penny depicting the head of Queen Victoria. Sir Rowland Hill – subsequently, Post Master General – could achieve Parliament’s backing for the ‘Penny Post’ that year and this ushers in the era of the modern pre-paid postal services using postage stamps. However, one must not that a ‘lady’ was chosen to be represented in the first ever stamp of the world. Quite a few philatelists in India possess the Penny Black and its subsequent issues.

Ever since the 1860s, collecting postage stamps began to grow as a hobby, especially with the coming of illustrated stamp catalogues, magazines and albums in Europe and North America. By the 1890s, many countries of Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand began to issue pictorial postage stamps depicting the scenic beauty of their countries. The first pictorial issued of New Zealand on Lake Wakitipu for 21/2 D of the 1890’s is one such example. They are considered as classic designs and were reused a century after its release.

The collection of Postal Stationary items also was established during this time. The 1910’s and 1920’s saw the prominent rise in the use of Postcards, and if used with pictorial stamps on them, we have the beginning of Maxim Cards and the collection of such cards, called Maximaphily. The coming of airplanes and stamps depicting them in the 1920’s ushers in the era of Aero philately.

The Primary Role Definitives

Postage stamps were introduced for purposes of pre-payment by a customer for the postal service availed by him, the cost of the service offered being the face value of the stamps payable for the service. This is their primary role. Normally ‘definitives’ are stamps that would definitely be available for purchase for three to five years from their issue, though some few rare ones have been reused even a century later.

The rates or values of the stamps in the case of definitive issues are the commonly used postal rates required for all classes of mail – many are issued for the small or ‘make-up rates’ and quite some for high values used for heavy letters, parcels and for airmails. But the value of a stamp issued must correspond to the range of postal rates being charged by the postal administration of a country, since stamps issued with very high values or with materials not recognized for use as postage stamps, will not charm the collectors as they would have no philatelic value.

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Roles Played by Postage Stamps

Fundamentals of Philately

Philately has been the king among hobbies and its worldwide popularity is matchless. Its educational value especially for the children, for the children, for the youth and even for adults is beyond compare. The postage stamp is fascinating to young impressionable minds who look upon these little bits of art and history, as invaluable personal collections.

The roles played by postage stamps ever since their first use in 1840 have changed dramatically over the years. This has been due partly to the dynamic issuing policies adopted by postal administrations in association with their printers and partly to the growing numbers of avid philatelists, stamp collectors and enthusiasts who preserve and present a variety of classes of collections.

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Courtesy : K.V.Sundar Rajan