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.