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.

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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....