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.