Stamps of India/Indian Princely States

Highest Catalogued Stamp/Postal History Item of Indian States

2010-10-29T20:27:00.000-07:00

The highest catalogued stamp of Indian Feudatory States (2007 Stanley Gibbons), unique (SG2b), alongwith another rarity (SG3a) on the only known cover of the Duttia first issues !!

I know of only one item that satisfies the strict criteria laid in the post on overseas philatelic rarities in context to India- one belonging to the princely state/feudatory state of Duttia (also known as Datia).

The rarest of the Indian stamps include the Inverted Head 4 Annas (pre-independence) and the Gandhi 10Rs Service stamps (post independence). Of course, neither even comes close to the rarity or the significance of the Duttia cover (as per Stanley Gibbons, 27 of the inverted heads have been discovered and approximately 8 or 9 of the Gandhi are in private stock including one in my collection).

The description of the item as per the expertization certificate is as follows : "Duttia 1896 1/2 a postal stationary envelope with blue control handstamp (Deschl E4), registered, franked with 1896 1a red black control handstamp (SG3a) and c.1894 2a grey-blue on yellow with red control handstamp (SG2var), envelope and adhesives cancelled by oval black intaglio seals, with red-brown oval handstamp alongside, red manuscript registration on reverse, is genuine Sd - Philip Kinns"

The Duttia cover had set a new record in 2006 for Indian Princely States Philately (and for that matter for Indian Philately) with one of the under-bidders being the most reputed firm in British Commonwealth Philately. While the auctioneer understood the significance of the item and placed a high reserve value, they did not accurately describe the item (i.e. "a stamp hitherto unknown"), and as well not point out that one of the stamps was unique. In addition (and also not advertised), the postal stationary cover on which the stamps were added for registration is rare - being of an un-cataloged error of type printed inverted.

How many 2 annas (SG2 including all sub-types/variations/used) are known ?

From "Dilemmas of Early Duttia by Frits Staal 1992" - Of the two annas , I have seen or found illustrations of seven copies, which are all different from each other.

How many 1 anna reds (SG3 including all sub-types/variations/used) are known ?
From "The Stamps of the Indian Feudatory States by Col Douie - Philatelic Journal of India 1934" - Though not strictly relevant to this article, it may not be out of place to refer to the 1 anna red stamp which is commonly supposed to be a contemporary of the first issue. The stamp is excessively rare. There was a copy in the Hind sale, and Mr Sefi recently showed me another. These two and a copy in my own collection are the only ones of which I have any record. The ink is rather too liquid, making judgment difficult, but the figure of Ganesh appears to be of the small type without the characteristic break in the trunk. If this is so, it is strong evidence that this is the earliest stamp issued by the state. Fortunately the shade of the stamp, and the arrangement of the lines of printers rule, render successful forgery practically impossible. More recent estimates would place the numbers of the 1 anna reds slightly more at perhaps 10 copies.

How many covers/ used on piece postal history items are known bearing stamps from SG1-SG7 (the early issues and including all variations/sub-types) ?

Only this one !!!! If you have any further questions , please call me at +1-510-290-6609

At Interesting Item of Post-Independence Indian Philately

2009-11-05T05:10:00.000-08:00

As per the book being published by Dr. Reuben Ramkissoon and Dr. Rajagopalan (Philatelic handbook on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi - 2006) , only eight copies of the Gandhi 10 Rs Service stamps are known in private collections!!

This stamp is considered to be the rarest gem of the independence issues. Jal Cooper had described the Gandhi 10Rs Service stamp as "practically unobtainable"

Excerpt from an excellent article titled "The Story of Gandhi Stamps by Mr T.N. Mehta".

"Why a 10-rupee Gandhi stamp? Commemorative stamps invariably are issued in popular postage denominations; the 10-rupee variety in the Gandhi series is the solitary example of its kind. This step deprived a large number of collectors of possessing the full set because they could not afford the 10-rupee stamp. To other philatelists this was a boon, as the value has been steadily mounting year after year.

Philatelists the world over were agitated by this inclusion of a high denomination in the Gandhi set. Margaret Bourke-White of Time/Life, who knew the Mahatma well, met with Sir Benegal Rama Rau, the Indian ambassador to washington, and later sent a long cable strongly protesting this move, and stating that it was highly improper for the government of India to issue a 10-rupee stamp in the name of Gandhi, who always used the cheapest form of communication - a postcard."

For sure, Gandhi would be extremely distraught to know of the 10Rs SERVICE stamp's catalogue value !!

Expertization certificate from RPSL (1982) and the BPA (2006) . Overprint (SERVICE) blackened-out on image.

Jasdan preSG1(?) (Undocumented Early Printing) Covers

2009-11-05T05:07:00.001-08:00

Jasdan Rebuilt SG1 Sheet

2009-11-05T04:26:00.001-08:00

Jasdan Indap Proof Sheet

2009-11-05T04:22:00.000-08:00

Jasdan SG1 On Cover

2009-11-05T04:19:00.001-08:00

Patiala - Convention Essays

2009-11-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

Ex-Rose Hutchinson, ex-Speers

Excerpts - British Indian Adhesive Stamps (Queens Head) Surcharged for Native States - Authored by Stuart Wilson

2009-11-04T21:52:00.000-08:00

Jasdan Postal Due Notes

2009-11-03T08:14:00.001-08:00

Perhaps the only example of a Jasdan fiscal stamps being accepted for postal(due) purposes ?

Jasdan SG2 on Sugar Certificate

2009-11-03T08:04:00.000-08:00

Bamra Second Issue On Cover

2009-11-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

Bamra SG10b on cover. Bamra second issue used commercially on cover is rare. This cover is interestingly a second issue error used on cover. Benns P3 Bamra cancellation.

Barwani - Postal Stationary C1 & C3

2009-10-31T05:10:00.000-07:00

ex-SteinKamp - Barwani first issue postal stationary is very rare. Less than three copies are known of C1 and C3. The C1 above is dated february 1927 - which probably is the earliest recorded use of postal stationary in the state.

Jasdan - ex Medhora

2009-10-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

Link to article by Medhora

Cancellations blackened-out on image.

Rajpipla - Earliest Postal Stationary Usage

2009-10-01T21:42:00.000-07:00

Nandod (Local/Feudatory Post Office) - Jul 4, 79

Chandod (Imperial Post Office) - Jul 4, 79

Bombay ("B" cancellation) - 7 Jul

London - Aug 10 , 79

Commercially used lettersheet converted for use an an envelope. Passing through the feudatory post office at Nandod. Similar to the usage of the 1-paisa stamp of Rajpipla used on covers for out of state delivery delivery.

The earliest documented use of an Indian States postal stationary.

Nawanagar Typeset Study - Derek Bates

2009-10-01T21:24:00.000-07:00

Nawanagar Typesets - Derek Bates - 1

Nawanagar Typesets - Derek Bates - 2

Jasdan First Issue

2008-05-07T21:16:00.000-07:00

Jasdan First Issue (pre-SG1) - Click Here For Article
N.B - This article was based on preliminary studies - and needs to be updated/corrected based on further research. In case you have some comments/suggestions/scans of materials that can assist - please do let me know.

Stanely Gibbons list the one anna myrtle green perf 10.5 stamp as the first issue of Jasdan - however, these were only discovered and documented a year after the start of the state post office. The first issue stamps (currently un-catalalogued) are documented.

Poonch - An amazing rarity

2007-01-20T12:24:00.000-08:00

A cover in its entirety to Choya Sadan Shah via Kahuta with the unique pair of Poonch SG1 (with one stamp sideways). The Queen Victoria half-anna postal stationary with the SG1 pair on reverse were posted from Poonch where the Poonch stamps were cancelled by manuscript. Cancelled further at the Imperial Post Office at Kahuta (Sep 8) and bearing the intaglio Poonch seal (four lines of Devnagiri) - a sorting mark/cancellation applied by the Jagir Post Office also at Kahuta where the item was forwarded to its destination - in this case to Choya Saidan Shah where it was cancelled Sep 9 (the date slugs are inverted on the cover).

Pairs of Poonch first issues are extremeley rare. This cover bears the second such pair recorded. An SG2 regular pair (not with error and on piece) was exchanged between Duke Philipp von Ferrari and Tapling for a Mauritius Mint Post Office 2d (the used Mauritius stamp is catalogued at ₤550,000, the mint is not priced).

While the SG2 pair is an extra-ordinary item , it does not get accorded the status of ‘var’, ’error’ or ’2a’ as they are just plain multiples – unlike tete-beche’s or pairs with one stamp sideways (semi tete-beche) - which are considered to be a variety or an error.

This particular (and unique) item was documented by Douie in his article in Philatelic Journal of India in 1932. Auctioned n the 1940's remained completely buried for 60+ years and is still not in any catalogue.

An item of amazing rarity and significance, an unique error, of the first issue; moreover, on an entire cover used in combination with a British India postal stationary in very fine condition.

2006 expertization by the BPA (and signed by Dr Philip Kinns)

Forgeries - Nawanagar

2007-01-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

Most images are from items for sale at auctions / ebay.

Duttia - San Francisco Collectors Club

2007-01-02T21:37:00.000-08:00

Handout to the San Francisco Collectors Club

Poonch - Further notes on the cover

2006-12-18T02:48:00.000-08:00

Besides these two covers that bear multiples of the Poonch first issues, there are two addition covers with multiples (but detached stamps and not pairs) of the 1876 issue recorded. One was last seen in the Robson Lowe auction of December 1967 (lot 398) and is described as "1876 6p. red three examples, one very fine used with India 1/a blue on reverse of an envelope which also has India 1/2 anna blue and 1 anna brown on the front". The fourth bears two 6 pies of 1876 and three 1 anna of 1880.

Seals Used in Poonch : There were two intaglio seals in existence in Poonch , one that has been called as the "Poonch Seal" with four lines of Dogri inscription reading "Shri Raghnath ji sahai mohr dak khana riyasat Punch Samvat 1933" and the second called the "Kahuta Seal" and reading "Shri Raghnath ji sahai mohr dak khana riyasat Punch 39" .

The Kahuta seals seems to have been exclusively used for sorting purposes ( a receipt mark) and never as an obliterator. The only exception being on an outgoing British Indian registered stationary envelope which shows the Kahuta seal applied to the front of the cover as a despatch mark.

Literature

Stamps of Poonch - Douie, Philatelic Journal Of India 1932

Poonch: The Postal History by A.S.Bard

Valuation

Looking at Stanley Gibbons catalogue, the more rare of the tete-beche varieties are valued at multiples of 100-1000 times the ordinary stamp (e.g. the semi tete-beche variety of SG12, SG52 are all catalogued at a multiple of 1000). Note that this tete-beche is not rare but unique! In addition what multiple would you estimate for the stamps being on cover (in very fine condition) in combination usage with a British India postal stationary?

Literature

2006-12-02T06:21:00.000-08:00

Convention Essays

Convention Essays - Godinho, Philatelic Journal Of India, 1918

Duttia

Notes From Pigott - Duttia State Post

R.F. Stoney's Article In The Philatelic Journal Of India - February 1948

Garratt Adams Article In The Philatelic Journal Of Great Britain April-June 1950

Garratt Adams Article In The Philatelic Journal Of Great Britain Oct-Dec 1950

Poonch

Stamps of Poonch - Douie, Philatelic Journal Of India 1932

Poonch: The Postal History by A.S.Bard

Further Notes On Straits Settlements

2006-12-01T15:38:00.000-08:00

Besides the one cover depicted in the previous article from the Robson Lowe 1986 Sale (and another in my collection), there are four additional entire covers known with 1854 4 anna pairs and used in Straits Settlements. They are as under:

Lot 60088 (David Feldman) Sold in 1986 for 20,000 swiss francs.

Lot 60089 (David Feldman) sold in 1986 for 24000 swiss francs.

Lot 128 , Christies Robson Lowe (1993), Sold for 7000 pounds

Lot 129, Christies Robson Lowe (1993) , Sold for 9400 pounds

Poonch: The Postal History by A.S.Bard

2006-12-01T07:56:00.000-08:00

Article by Douie on Poonch

2006-11-29T07:22:00.000-08:00

Rare Item From Poonch

2006-11-02T22:14:00.000-08:00

Poonch has been described as a feudatory state, but technically speaking it was feudatory not to the British , but to the State of Jammu & Kashmir. The initial stamps of Poonch are very rare. Shown is the one of the four known mint copies of SG1. This particular example has small defects - the certificate from BPA(2006) being as usual harsh and stating - "Indian Feudatory States - Poonch: 1876 6p red, on yellowish white wove paper, no wmk, imperf, design 22*21mm, value in circle, five rosettes in outer pane (SG1), unused with part original gum, blue ink manuscript on reverse, thinned and defective is genuine. Sd- Philip Kinns"

Of the other three known copies , one is creased, one is disputed (the 2003/4 issued BPA certificate does not bear Dr. Kinns signature), and another is defaced (partially printed).

From an article in the Philatelic Journal of India ,1932 - By Douie:

"The philatelic rectitude of this state is beyond dispute. No fewer than three issues had served their purpose and become obsolete before their existence was known to the outside world. The first issue was recorded in 1899, fifteen years after the last copy was used, the second issue in 1930, 51 years after it became obsolete, and the third issue in 1899, eighteen years after its demise - a record which must be unique. The fourth issue appeared in 1884, and was the first issue to be correctly recorded in the philatelic press. The only fault which can be found with the stamps is the number of different coloured papers on which the stamps appear, thus giving rise to an apparently unnecessary number of varieties in the stamps of the fourth issue. ... The first issue of Poonch consists of one value only, a six pies or half anna stamp. ... I have some forty copies of this stamp of which 25 are fortunately on dated covers or pieces. The period during which it did duty was from November 1978 (or possibly earlier) till March 1884. The stamp is not common and is very rare unused, the three copies in the Masson collection being the only ones I have seen"

Garratt Adams Article(2)

2006-10-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

Notes On Straits Settlements

2006-10-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

Type I Cancellation (Diamond Of Dots)
From F.E. Wood - "The early stamp obliterators , issued in October 1854, consisted of a diamond of dots and the size varied from 8 dots by 8 to 11 by 12. As similar ones were also used in Indian post offices it is not possible to distinguish stamps used in straits settlements, unless they are on original cover. Mr. R.D. Lockhart has expressed an opinion that one postmark, used in singapore consisted of a diamond of hollow dots 8 by 8, is sufficiently distinctive to identify it as a Singapore mark without extraneous evidence. Mr Jal Cooper ;however, writing in India Stamp Journal of March 1944, states that similar examples of "hollow" dots have been found used on letters from Mian Mir to Delhi." .

Therefore stamps by themselves cannot be claimed to be from Singapore/Straits settlements based on the diamond-of-dots or hollow diamond-of-dots cancel. They have to be on cover and additional information on the cover itself would confirm or deny their usage from the Straits Settlements.

Covers With 4anna Pairs
These are rare. In 1972 Jal Cooper had believed only one such pair existed. However, a few have appeared in auction since then and based on the Robson Lowe(September 1986), David Feldman (1986) , and Spink (Sep 2001) sales, I would estimate around 20/30 such covers to be in existence.

Another cover used in Straits Settlements bearing a pair of the 1854 4 anna pair - fourth printing. Offered for sale in September 1986 (Christie's Robson Lowe) . Note the usage of the diamond of dots cancel (more common than the hollow diamond of dots) and that the stamps seem tied to the cover by the accountancy marks.

Ref:

India Used Abroad , Mr Jal Cooper
Straits Settlements Postage Stamps , F.E. Wood

Map of India/Indian Princely States(2)

2006-10-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

Notes On the Duttia Tete-Beche sheets

2006-10-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

All multiples of SG8-Sg11 (the 1897 DUTTIA issue) are scarce! It is noted in the Philatelic Journal of India for May 1897 that "A Mr Dalyell, on reading the article of February, 1897, immediately through a dealer got in touch with the Duttia Post Office and received stamps of Type 2 (i.e. SG8-11)".

Thus for most of the collectors SG8-11 were the first issues of the state and these were thus mostly broken down from their sheets/blocks into singles. Most of the multiple / complete blocks that survived were of the tete-beche variety. A large block of 8 (SG9c) was recently offered in the Sturton sale - complete sheets of 16 are rare. Given that multiples of this issue are scarce, and given that the tete-beche stamps themselves are rare ; therefore, blocks of tete-beche stamps are rarities. It is estimated that less than 20 of these tete-beche pairs can exist of the half-anna, one-anna and two-anna stamps. The four anna tete-beche stamps are a bit more common.

The following have been seen in major auctions:

Haverbeck
SG8a - half anna black on green - seven horizontal tete-beche pairs
SG9? - one anna black on white - two tete-beche pairs with additional oval seal cancel

Dawson
Did not have any tete-beche pairs !!

Couvrier
SG8a - block of fourteen showing four horizontal tete-beche varieties (ex Haverbeck). This was cut out from the block containing the seven horizontal tete-beche in Haverbeck
SG8? - one tete-beche pair (no image provided)
SG9? - two tete-beche pairs one pair with additional oval seal cancel (ex Haverbeck)
SG11b - eight vertical tete-beche pairs

Sturton Sale
SG8a - block of four (ex Haverbeck, ex Couvrier)
SG8ba - two blocks of eight vertical tete-beche
SG9a - two horizontal tete-beche pairs
SG11a - one horizontal tete-beche pair
SG11a - eight horizontal tete-beche pairs
SG11b - eight vertical tete-beche pairs

Veldman Sale
SG 11b - one pair

Other
SG 11b - one pair

Stanley Gibbons Auction April 1980
SG11b - irregular block of five with two pairs and a pencil '4' inscribed on central margin

Notes From Pigott - Duttia State Post

2006-10-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

Spectacular Jammu & Kashmir Telegraph Franking

2006-10-13T23:27:00.000-07:00

What is especially rare about the telegraph receipt depicted is the denomination - it bears four two-rupees telegraph stamps and an eight anna stamp on the reverse (not shown) and is dated 1903 ! Note that telegraph stamps meant for official use were printed in black - so this was initiated by a private party! Interesting enough, in 1908 the remainder of the 5Rs telegraph stamps were over-printed eight annas, the 2Rs overprinted two annas, etc - clearly proving a point about the exceptional franking of the item above in the context of Jammu & Kashmir.

What is the worth of eight rupees in 1903 ? From a case in findlaw - the exchange rate was 32cents per Rupee in 1905 meaning that the receipt has the equivalent of $2.56 (in 1905 terms !!).

So in 2004, $2.56 from 1905 is worth:

$54 using the Consumer Price Index , $400 if invested in the Dow Jones, $1,070 using the relative share of GDP and millions if invested in California Real Estate.

Rarity From Straits Settlements

2006-10-13T22:45:00.000-07:00

India, 1855 entire to Hamburg endorsed within "Singapore 20th April 1855", franked with vertical pair 1854 4a blue and red imperf, Head II, Frame I wmk part coat-of-arms Pos 5/9 of sheet, cut to shape at top and bottom (SG19) cancelled by diamond of hollow dots cancels and tied by manuscript "6/4" handstamped Hamburg 30-5 cds, top stamp with centre row fold - As described in the September, 2006 BPA certificate. The condition of the above cover is evident from the opened out images below.

Literature - Convention State Essays

2006-10-13T22:09:00.000-07:00

The convention state essays were first discussed in

Convention Essays - Godinho, Philatelic Journal Of India, 1918

Subsequently in 1951 they were also documented in the Robson Lowe - Encyclopaedia of British Empire Postage Stamps where the stamp is depicted and with the description "Kashmir was invited to join the Postal Convention with six other states ... Agreement was not reached but the original suggestion for the overprint is illustrated"

Additional information on the history of Convention State overprints and Rai Daulat Ram Bahadur can be found in the Handbook of Convention States (actual title: British Indian Adhesive Stamps (Queen's Head) Surcharged for Native States) By Stewart-Wilson and Gordon Jones. Snippets from the book are as under.

Patiala was the first to execute a "Convention" treaty with the Imperial Post Office in 1884.

Patiala - We now come to the state, which but for our arbitrary alphabetical arrangement, ought really to have occupied our attention first of all, as it was in connection with enquiries into its postal arrangements that the idea of "conventions" of the nature we have been considering first of all originated, the convention of this nature was entered into with this state, and the first ideas as to over-printing were the outcome of the wishes of Patiala.

The state is administered on modern and highly enlightened lines. A railway has been constructed and canals dug, with the result that the population shows a rapid increase owing to influx from outside.

Its original and very primitive internal postal arrangements were used almost entirely for the transmission of state correspondence, and the need for stamps was not felt. In 1877 , the government of India, feeling that it was important that Native States local stamps should bear a device totally different from that on the stamps of British India, requested that in future no Native State should issue postage stamps of its own without the approval of Government being first obtained to the design. This circular appears to have suggested to the Patiala Council of Regency (for the late Maharaja was then in his minority) the advisability of the state having its own stamps, In the end of 1879, accordingly, it submitted a design for a postage stamp for approval. Unfortunately it has been impossible to secure a copy of this essay.

The Government of India, while raising no objection to the design, suggested that the Punjab Government should endeavour to induce the the Council of Regency to consent to the extension of the Imperial postal system throughout the state. The reply of the Council of Regency did not arrive till 1882, and was to the effect that “ the postal system of the State were complete in themselves, and were framed with reference to the requirements of the state , all the officials employed being Patiala subjects.” As they desired that the existing arrangements might continue, the Government of India did not press its former suggestion , but at the request of the Director-General of the Post Office of India , observed that something should be done to reform the very faulty arrangement for the exchange of correspondence , especially of money orders, between the Imperial Post Office and the Patiala State. It was added that the Director-General of the Post Office of India would be directed to assist the Durbar in working out a new scheme.

The Durbar agreed, and the negotiations on the part of the Imperial Post Office were entrusted to Rai Daulat Ram Bahadur, C.I.E., ( now Post Master General of Gwalior). This was the germ of all the conventions that we have been considering. It was then that the idea of surcharging British India stamps was first heard of.

Gwalior - Gwalior is the fortunate possessor of an unusually efficient postal system, with its head quarters in the capital city of lashkar, and managed by Rai Daulat Ram Bahadu C.I.E, Postmaster General of The State, a Gentlemanwho recently left the service of the Imperial post after a very long and extremely distinguished career, on the same principles as the Imperial BritishIndian Post Office.....The postal convention between the Government of India and H.H Maharaja Scindia was signed on 28th April, 1885, but did not come into force until 1st July of that year.In April 1884 the first request was made by Gwalior Durbar for the preparation of overprinted postage stamps.

It was asked that in addition to the word "Gwalior", they should bear the arms of the state viz the sun and the two serpents. Proofs were printed in compliance with this request but the impression of the arms had perforce to be so small that his Highness decided in September 1884 to have thename of the state printed in Bold letters in English and Hindim and to omit the arms, except in the case of post-cards and embossed envelopes.

Jhind - The Jhind Durbar at first desired to have its stamps overprinted with the State arms as well as with the name and proofs of such a stamp appear to have been made. The design was , however, too cramped and the expense of surcharging would have been very great, so it was abandoned.

Ref.
British Indian Adhesive Stamps (Queen's Head) Surcharded For Native States. Stewart-Wilson, Gordon-Jones
First Edition published in 1897 and the Second Edition published in 1904 in Calcutta. Note that the first discussions on "Convention State Essays" were made in 1883 - the two authors experienced history as it happened !!

Gordon Jones , the co-author of the book of above book on Convention states was also the person who discovered the Convention State Essays.

Rare Item From Duttia(3)

2006-10-13T21:41:00.000-07:00

1897-98 1/2 a black on green, no wmk, imperf, value in two groups, block of 16 comprising 8 vertical tet-beche pairs (SG8ba) , unusued without gum as issued, vertical creases. BPA certificate.

Rare Item From Duttia(2)

2006-10-13T21:36:00.000-07:00

1897-98 1a black on white laid paper , no wmk, imperf, block of 16, comprising 8 vertical tete-beche pairs (SG 9ba) usused without gum as issued, small thin at upper right , central vertical crease. BPA certificate.

Rare Item From Idar

2006-10-13T21:23:00.000-07:00

Idar SG F1 on cover . Extremely rare. For a long time only one such cover was known and sold by Stanley Gibbons as unique in 1995.

The limited usage of the stamp is perhaps due to its being an intermediate / test issue. Note that all early stamps of Idar were in shades of Green and the later stamps of Idar (the postal fiscals) were all in violet. This is the only stamp having both a shade of green and a shade of violet.

Garratt Adams Article

2006-10-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

Stoney Article

2006-10-13T21:02:00.000-07:00

Literature And Valuation - The Duttia Cover

2006-10-13T20:59:00.000-07:00

The Duttia State Post was first documented in

The Philatelic Journal Of India, February 1897 using notes supplied by C.L.Pigott.

There have been many articles written about the Duttia cover by eminent philatelists (Stoney, Garrat Adams, Frits Staal, Peter Rover), the first two are as below.

R.F. Stoney's Article In The Philatelic Journal Of India - February 1948

Garratt Adams Article In The Philatelic Journal Of Great Britain April-June 1950

Garratt Adams Article In The Philatelic Journal Of Great Britain Oct-Dec 1950

The unique SG2 copy (and the only Duttia Stamp with a red control seal) has since been added to the Stanley Gibbons British Commonwealth catalogue as SG2b and valued at 20,000 british pounds (for used , mint is not known). The used SG3 is catalogued at 3750 british pounds. What would be a reasonable multiple for these stamps on cover ? Note that as per the 2004 Stanley Gibbons British Commonwealth catalogue rare covers of Jind (as an example) catalogued at a multiple of 100 (times the value of the stamps on cover) !

Duttia First Issues

2006-10-13T19:25:00.000-07:00

SG1 (one of four known - however only two have been seen in the last few decades), SG3, SG4, SG5 (one of two known), SG6, SG6a (perhaps unique), SG7.

In case there are any further questions - please call +1-415-498-0225

From the article "Duttia - Handstamp" by Mr. A.R. Singhee:

All the Duttia state postage stamps and postal stationary were impressed with the circular handstamp seal before issue, as a rule. The seal is about 13 mm. in diameter and has a figure of the God 'Ganeshji' in seated positionn at the centre, surrounded by an inscription "Duttia State Postage 1893" in devnagari. So far this seal has always been regarded and recorded as the seal of the Maharaja Bhawani Singh of Duttia state, but this attribution seems to be incorrect. It is evident from the Devnagiri inscription on the seal, that it was a postal sealm and probably used by the treasurer or the in-charge of the postal administration to autehnticate the postage stamps and postal stationary items.

Godinho Article On Convention Essays

2006-10-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

Rare Item From Bamra

2006-10-12T23:24:00.000-07:00

Deschl E4 locally postmarked (P1) 27 December, 1890 , with the British India stamps cancelled at Sambalpur, and with Calcutta arrival cancellation on reverse. With clear 1981 RPSL certificate.

Genuninely used (i.e. mail that required Bamra postage for travel through the postal system, delivered with an arrival cancel, and is adequately/correctly franked) Bamra postal stationary is exceedingly rare (so far just four are known). This cover besides being one of four genuinely used has the distinction of being the earliest postal history item (stamps and postal stationary) known. The cover is addressed to a dealer of stamps ; as were other genuninely used correspondence from Bamra that have survived. The first such recorded correspondence was on 21st April, 1890 to Messrs Stanley Gibbons indicating the existence of a postal system and enclosing samples of issued stamps.

Note that in the Handbook of Indian Philately , in the section on Bamra written by Benns, it is said that the earliest date recorded for Bamra cancels is 21.2.1891.

Convention State Essays

2006-10-12T21:51:00.000-07:00

The Kashmir essays were discovered in 1918 by Mr Gordon Jones (the co-author of the book - Ref next article) among the papers of Rai Daular Ram Bahadur, an Imperial Post Office and Convention States postal official, who had retired a quarter of a century ago, showing that Jammu & Kashmir at one time had entertained the idea of a convention with the Imperial Post Office.

Note that similar essays had supposedly been created (as documented in the next article) for Patiala , Gwalior and Jhind - however none have been discovered so far. The significance of these is therefore not just in the context of Jammu & Kashmir , but as a crucial item in the history of all convention states (i.e. the states that signed a treaty with the Imperial Post Office for the use of overprinted British India stamps).

The expense in creating the above essays in 1883 is quite evident especially as each stamp is overprinted in a different colour. This is an unique set with just two additional such overprinted stamps known to exist elsewhere.

Jno Godinho has stated in his article that "These essays must be of the greatest rarity and have been absorbed into one of the great collections at home". Jno Godinho and his nephew Hamilton Godinho were renowned collectors of Indian Feudatory States (Ref. The Philatelic Journal Of India, September 1946)

Miscellaneous

2006-08-30T23:51:00.000-07:00

Registered letter from Pataudi to Khetri , with envelope bearing Pataudi Coat Of Arms.

1924 Everest Expedition Card from Calcutta to England. F.w. India Geo. V 1½a tied by CALCUTTA – BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION cancel dtd 30 OCT 24. Additonally f.w. Deep Blue MOUNT EVEREST Expedition Label tied by Red EVEREST EXPEDITION / RONGBUK GLACIER BASE CAMP / 1924 Cancel (Waterfall Type IIa) The back of the card shows a photo of the Everest Base Camp and was used to advertise Captain Noel’s film on the 1924 Expedition The card states: “Dispatched by Postal Runner to India” and bears a facsimile signature of Capt. Noel.

I.F.S Jind

2006-08-30T18:08:00.000-07:00

J16 complete sheet.

C.E.F

2006-08-30T00:19:00.000-07:00

Portuguese India

2006-08-30T00:09:00.000-07:00

1962 India, overprint essays on Portuguese India. Rare.

Afinsa 16,17 - 1873 10r black and 20r Vermillon on native cover from Panjim to Margao.

Afinsa 2 , 1871 20r shades

Afinsa 15, 900r Violet

I.F.S Jaipur

2006-08-29T23:20:00.000-07:00

Deschl E16 1949 3/4 anna on 1 anna blue provisional envelope - scarce used.

1904 - SG3a , 1/2 anna deep blue , complete sheet of 24 with frame lines and the number "24" printed on top and handnumbered in red.

Easy India postcards oerprinted with "JEYPORE". Uncertain status.

Jaipur merchant letters with royal emblem . Rare!

Jaipur native cover.

India Used Abroad

2006-08-29T22:29:00.000-07:00

India - Abyssinian Field Force : 1868 envelope to Guernsey franked with India 1866-78 6a8p slate (SG72), cancelled square framed "FF" in diamond of bars, handstamped "INDIA PAID" in red, backstamped red "ABYSSINIA FIELD FORCE POST OFFICE/31 JA/68" and Guernsey 20.2.68 cds.

SG 4a (second I missing - though in this case it is very faintly visible)

Scarse 1947 registered cover from Gynatse, Tibet to Kathmandu, Nepal. India George Vth registered envelope (additionally a pair of India Geo V 1 1/2 anna) with Gyantse Type B-3 (Hel. B48) cancels. (dtd 17 May 1947) with Boxed Gyantse/Tibet Registration labels. British Legation/Nepal receiving mark with nepalese native cancel alongside.

India Used in Afghanistan (Registered Airmail Letter To Bremen)

India Used In Baghdad

India Used In Tibet

India Used In Baghdad

India Used In Japan (BCOF)

India Used In Bushire

Group of two post cards from Aden , one to Cambridge and the other to USA.

I.F.S Las Bela

2006-08-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

Pair of SG6 on native cover

I.F.S Bhopal

2006-08-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

SG 78 block of 20, rare sheet , but torn in a few places.

SG98a

Bhopal 0354d , block of 4

I.F.S Alwar

2006-08-29T00:11:00.000-07:00

SG1 on native cover

Alwar 1 anna fiscal stamp used on Post & Telegraph receipt 1943 with "Postal Cancellation" on stamp

I.F.S Travancore-Cochin

2006-08-28T01:41:00.000-07:00

1950 1a orange of Cochin , type 3, 'T-C.' error overprint inverted. Only one sheet of 48 existed.

Block of four with top right stamp of variety 'stop missing after T' (SG9a)

SG03dc, error "NANA" for ANNA

I.F.S Nandgaon

2006-08-28T01:29:00.000-07:00

SG3 & SG4 pair used with India 1/2 anna used on cover from Raj Nandgaon (philatelic). RPSL certificate.

I.F.S Soruth

2006-08-28T01:24:00.000-07:00

SG4a (1anna) - black on cream wove , imperf, handstamped in water color, soiled and toned. RPSL certificate

SG21a var , "OSTAGE" omitted from right most stamp, fiscally used on document.

USS Saurashta Postage & Revenue Used On Native cover

I.F.S Rajasthan

2006-08-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

SG15,SG16,SG17,SG18,SG22,SG24 with constant error in Hindi overprint (partial second last character). Unrecorded.

SG15-25 complete set

I.F.S Faridkot

2006-08-27T23:53:00.000-07:00

1879-86 1f ultramarine on wove paper, vertical tete-beche pair unused. SGN5a

I.F.S Dungarpur

2006-08-27T23:33:00.000-07:00

SG14 on the reverse of an INDAP proof sheet.

An interesting 1941 double used 'On Dungarpur State Service' envelope franked with I.F.S Dungarpur 1 1/4 anna stamps (SG9 & SG11). The envelope re-used for correspondence from Sagwara, Dungarpur to Kathiawar and bearing 1 1/2 anna British-India stamps.

Franked on reverse of a 'On Dungarpur State Service Only' cover.

SG9,11 on local cover

French India

2006-08-27T18:56:00.000-07:00

1924 cover to Czechoslovakia franked 1923 surch 1ca/1c (24 - 18 on reverse) & 12ca/15c all tied by "Pondicherry 13 AOUT 1924" cds. VF. SG 62, 69. Rare usage to a most unusual destination !!

Yvert 230P. Roumet certificate.

1905 postal stationary envelope used from Pondicherry to Marseille. Slightly shortened at left.

I.F.S Bhor

2006-08-27T17:56:00.000-07:00

SG1 complete sheet - rare with few sheets remaining intact!

Koeppel & Manners No 151a, inverted center and 151, revenue stamps fiscally used on document. APS certificates.

Sikkim/Rocket Mail

2006-08-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

1935 rocket mail , flown experimental cover, Sikkim Durbar overprinted label. Very rare!

Sikkim Rocket Mail Vignette. Rare 2 rupee (3 shilling) silver jubilee vignette in yellow with 3 line ROCKET MAIL EXPERIMENT / BY SANCTION / SIKKIM DURBAR overprint. Signed by Stephen Smith.

Sikkim Rocket Mail Vignette. Rare 2 rupee (3 shilling) silver jubilee vignette in green.

1937 Coronation rocketgram card signed Stephen H. Smith, May 18, 1927 with printed message at back.

I.F.S Idar

2006-08-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

1941 registered cover, franked on reverse by 1932-43 pale yellow green (thick paper) block of four an dvertical pair, tied by three fine strikes of circular pmk in blackish violet, with M/S date and signature at foot.

Idar SG F1 , fiscally used, uncancelled.

I.F.S Orchha

2006-08-27T15:49:00.000-07:00

SG45 block of ten used on revenue document - spectacular !!

SG27/29 with center inverted. Owing to lack of proper state controls this issue was subject to "philatelic speculation' and thus the status of this item (and of this series ( till SG 30) is uncertain.

Orcha native cover bearing SG34 (1 anna scarlet)

I.F.S Poonch

2006-08-27T15:27:00.000-07:00

SG1 Used in combination with an East India Queen Victoria card to Amritsur. The address being very faint/rubbed out.

1888 Offical SG04 2a black on white laid batonne , irregular block of 50 on paper with spaces ruled for a 4 a value. The desire to save paper has led to the spaces being ignored except in the bottom two rows, giving 5 rows of 8 and 2 rows of 7 stamps. (NB positive and negative impressions of the 'Under Quarter Tola' paper makers seal at the lower left). A bizarre and spectacular piece of considerable rarity.

1884-87 SG 55var. 1p Red on Blue wove batonne, irregular unused block of 40 on paper ruled with spaces in pencil. 13 stamps are printed inverted - giving 7 tete-beche pairs!! The Veldman collection had a single such pair.

1884-87 SG 32 & 32a, 1p Red on Orange buff wove batonne. With the top two rows printed sideways creating six examples of SG 32a.

Group of poonch covers.

I.C.S Patiala

2006-08-27T15:22:00.000-07:00

1884 Official 2 anna dull blue , wmk star, perf 14 , 1884 opt Type 2 (SG 03) unused withought gum and heavily creased. BPA certificate.

1900 (May 31) locally addressed 1/2a green P/S cover , additionally franked by 1891-96 4a olive green , left marginal error 'PATIALA OMITTED' tied by hooded 'PATIALA/Reg' cds with registration cachet alongside. 12 such errors are known on covers with a total of 81 possibly printed. SG21a

I.F.S Jhalawar

2006-08-27T15:15:00.000-07:00

1886/90 1/4 anna green tied by black seal cancellation to internal address.

A large internal envelope with a horizontal pair of the 1/4 anna green tied on the reverse by two strikes of teh circular cancel dated 21sep 98. The very similar delivery pmk on the same side is dated 23 sept 98.

I.F.S Bijawar

2006-08-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

Sg 6a - 1936 3p brown , rouletted 7, error Printed on Gummed side. Very rare.

SG11a

I.C.S Faridkot

2006-08-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

1887-1900 6a olive bistre, wmk star, perf 14 , 1876 ovpt type 1, variety "ARIDKOT" (SG10a), unused without gum and defects at upper left. BPA certificate.

India

2006-08-26T18:50:00.000-07:00

1866 (October) , official stamp 8a purple, thick blue glazed paper , imperf * perf 14, overprinted in green (SG018) unused without gum. Brandon Certificate.

1854 4a pale blue and pale red , wmk part coat of arms, imperf, 4th printing. Head III Frame II , pos 12 (SG24) , unused, without gum. BPA certificate.

SG20 , used, Head Die II, Frame Die I. APS Certificate.

1898 QV 1/4 on 1/2 anna with basic stamp printed DOUBLY.

Group of 1854 half anna blue covers.

I.F.S Cochin

2006-08-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

SG14a imperf between vertical pair.

I.C.S Nabha

2006-08-26T18:11:00.000-07:00

1885-1900 1 1/2 anna Sepai, wmk star, perf 14 overprinted (type 2) in black on India unused part original gum, 'ABHA' for 'NABHA' , SG18a. BPA certificate.

Nabha SG89-94

SG94, unused gutter pair , full original gum , never hinged. APS certificate.

I.F.S Shahpura

2006-08-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

Pre-stamp cover with post mark "Raj Dak Shahpura" (about 1908-1910)

1914-1917 1p carmine/bluish grey , perf 11 , used on entire cover along with entire letter!!

Enclosed letter (front and back)

Shahpura SG F1 , fiscally used , but with value omitted. Previously unrecorded and perhaps unique.

I.F.S Bamra

2006-08-26T17:48:00.000-07:00

1888 - SG2a - 1/2 a black on rose, imperf, overprint type 2 - variety 'g' inverted - unused without gum. RPSL certificate.

I.F.S Bundi

2006-08-26T17:43:00.000-07:00

SG72 5r yellow-green and vermillion sheet of four with natural paper flaws.

SG015caAvar sheet of four with top right stamp missing overprint.

SG015var sheet of four with overprint inverted

SG 79/81 on cover

SG66a on cover

I.F.S Travancore

2006-08-26T17:36:00.000-07:00

SG57 var , complete sheet split into two showing spectacular overprint error.

1937 'Temple Entry' 6ca carmine, perf 12, horizontal strip of 3 from left of sheet , ERROR IMPERFORATE BETWEENm fine o.g. Spectacular and rare.

HG15a/Deschl C18 used. This card is extremely rare - two copies were in the Dr. Mitchell collection and another in the Haverbeck collection.

I.C.S Gwalior

2006-08-26T17:23:00.000-07:00

Gwalior 1885-97 1Rupee green and carmine, wmk star, perf 14, 1892-97 India , ovpt Type 2 , variety 'GWALICR' (SG34b), unused with large part original gum. BPA certificate.

1895-96 1Rupee green and carmine, error 'Hindi Characters transposed' (SERSIV), fresh large part o.g. A great rarity from 19/1, May 1896 printing. Only 12 printed , and one of nine examples recorded (including one in the Royal Collection. Creased corner perf not mentioned by clear R.P.S certificate). Ex Ulrich.

1895-96 - SG09a, Eight annas magenta , variety overprint type 01, Hindi characters transposed (SERSIV) , unused. Royal Certificate.

SG03 var , fourth character omitted.

I.C.S Chamba

2006-08-26T17:07:00.000-07:00

1887098 1a brown purple , error 'SERVICE' double, used with bold hooded 'P' obliterator of Pangie. Very rare , being one of only four used (plus two unused) explamples known, and not in the Royal Collection. SG02d. BPA certificate.

Chamba 1887098 Official 1a brown purple, wmk star, perf 14, 1882-90 India ovpt Type 01, variety 'CHMABA' (SG02a) , usused with part original gum . BPA certificate.

1887-98 Official 1/2 anna blue green wmk star, perf 14 1882-90 India ovpt Type 01, variety 'CHMABA' (SG01a) , unused with large part on gum. BPA certificate.

I.F.S Duttia

2006-08-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

SG7. 1896 4a black/rose handstamped in blue, imperf unused with slight creasing. Brandon certificate.

1900 1/2 anna green postal stationary envelope used on 23 JA 14 vwith very fine hooded double circle despatch cds on face and hooded single delivery cds on reverse. Toned and extensive(repaired) tears. Scarse. Deschl E6.

Deschl E6 Used With Entire Letter.

I.F.S Indore

2006-08-26T16:48:00.000-07:00

SG33a - Quarter Anna overprint in black and green - rare!

Indore native cover

I.F.S Charkhari

2006-08-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

SG1. One-fourth anna rose imperf, unused and ungummed. Royal Certificate.

SG2. 1894 1a dull green , imperf, unused , thinned and change of color due to tropicalization. Brandon Certificate.

SG3. 1894 2a dull green, no wmk, imperf unused and ungummed. BPA certificate

1930-45 1p deep blue , block of 12 comprising six vertical pairs, the top stamp printed inverted on back, very fine unused.

SG40 pair on native cover.

Azad Hind

2006-08-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

Michel 7b Proof - less than 20 known. Krischke certificate.

Zanzibar

2006-08-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

1898 2 1/2 surcharge (Type 4 in red) on 1895-96 1a plum, wmk star, perf 14, variety small second 'z' - SG33d unused with part original gum. BPA certificate.

1895- 98 , SG22, 22k - 2 1/2 anna on 1 1/2a sepia - pair - overprint type 1, R/H stamp variety 'ZANIZBAR'. Royal Certificate.

1895-96 5r ultramarine & violet, wmk star, perf 14, overprint type 1, variety opt double , one inverted (SG21l), an official attempt having been made to remove the error, unused without gum slightly discoloured.

1895 - 96 6a pale brown , wmk elephants head and marginal line at left, perf 14, 1876 India overprint Type 1, horizontal pair, left stamp small 2nd 'z' right variety "Zanibar" pos R7/1-2 (SG13 [D]) , unused with large part original gum. BPA certificate.

1895-96 1a plum, wmk star, perf 14, 1882-88 India overprint Type 1 in blue variety small 2nd "z" (SG2d) , unused, with large part original gum.

Kuwait

2006-08-26T15:34:00.000-07:00

Kuwait 1923-24 3a dullorange overprinted 'KOWEIT' - SG6var. BPA certificate.

SG1 var, 1923-24 "KUWAIT" inverted overprint, block of 4. Ceremuga certificate.

SG 1a "KUWAIT" overprinted double on India KGV 1/2 anna green. Ceremuga certificate.

Malaya/Straits Settlements

2006-08-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

SG10 - Manuscript 2 on 'Three Half Cents' on India 1/2 anna used in Penang. BPA certificate (1958) and Royal Certificate (2005).

Z27, used block of ten. APS certificate.

Z21

Z106

I.C.S Jind

2006-08-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

1886, 1Rupee slate, overprinted 'JEIND' for 'JHIND' - SG16a. Brandon Certificate.

SG79, block of four registered letter from Sangrur to Poona

British East Africa

2006-08-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

1895-96 5r ultramarine and violet, wmk star, perf 14, 1895 India ovpt Type 9, variety overprint double (SG63a) unused , with large part on gum, vertical crease at left. Less than 10 known to exist as per Minns. 2001 BPA certificate.

1897 (JA 12) locally addressed "Jamall" cover (philatelic) with 1895-96 short set of 10 to 12a, tied by individual very fine strikes of Mombassa cds. A colourful item.

I.F.S Kishangarh

2006-08-26T14:45:00.000-07:00

Complete sheet of 20 - scarce!

native cover

Deschl C1 Used - scarce. The paper being brittle few have survived.

I.F.S Jammu & Kashmir

2006-08-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

SG28 - 4anna red on native paper.

SG4 - 1 anna grey-black

SG 37 (4 anna sage green on native laid paper)

SG1 on part cover.

SG15 , 1 anna deep black on native paper.

SG 45 (1 anna slate blue) block of eight

SG100a, myrtle green, unused , with no gum . APS certificate.

1/4th anna defaced plate - one of ten such impressions taken.

1879 2a red, thin wove paper, complete sheet of 20. Scarse as a sheet.

Defaced plate with 20 1/2 anna and 5 1 anna - one of only ten such copies made.

SG 41 - European laid paper , 4 single copies unused.

J&K Telegraph stamps

SG 91 1/2 anna ultramarine complete sheet, unused, signed Jaretzky.

SG 98 2a buff horizontal strip of five.

SG 99 4a emerald green, single die print horizontal strip of
4, unused horizontal crease - signed Jaretzky.

1874-76 1/2 anna deep black horizontal block of 12 unused, extremely rare and the largest multiple known along with another block of eight.

SG 99 - 4a emerald green , vertical block of eight, usual slight creasing, 2nd largest multiple known ex Sefi.

1877 printing from defaced plate in block with notes from J.H Knowles.

Defaced composite plate with 20 stamps 1/2 anna and 5 stamps 1 anna. ex Masson.

SG 60 1/2 anna orange red pair on cover.

SG 60/61 water color in red.

SG 138 block of five and three on the reverse of India postal stationary envelope bearing four annas and six pies and addressed to Chesire England.

Official cover with a strip of four SG09

SG70 used on native cover

Group of eight native covers bearing SG91 ultramarine (1/2 anna)

Defaced 4anna circular, ex Masson , ex Staal

Defaced 8anna circular.

Rare Item From Sirmoor

2006-07-24T00:31:00.000-07:00

The feudatory state of Sirmoor is situated in the lower Simla hills between the Ambala and Simla districts. Its area in 1904 was stated to be 1108 square miles and population 1,35,000.

Postal stationary covers from Sirmoor are very rare - one would estimate that less than 10 non-philatelic covers (versus those done by favour) are known. Registered covers from Sirmoor are extrememly rare, this particular registered cover from Paonta to Nahan is probably one of a couple known. The usual franking is 6pies (half anna) for an ordinary letter.

From an article by Major Douie:

"In the majority of cases in the Indian Feudatory states, ununsed stamps are far commoner than used ones, and a large proportion of those that purport to be used are obliterated to order. The only used copies which can be taken as genuinely used in some states are those on original covers. Sirmoor stamps on original covers are exceedingly scarse, and the only copies that I have seen belong to the early printings. It is believed that the reason for this is that the state authorities gave a contract for the sale of used stamps to a local contractor during a large portion of the time the stamps were current. Consequently all stamps which arrived on letters were removed from their covers and handed back to the postman by the recipient. These stamps were then handed over to the contractor who disposed of them to dealers and others. ....

It may certainly be taken that the stamps bearing obliterations of post offices other than Nahan are unquestionably genuinly used copies, as are most of Nahan obliterations."

While the process of extracting stamps from covers created a good record of the chronology of stamp issuance , it has resulted in very few genuinely used covers remaining.

References :

Notes on the Stamps of Sirmoor : Major F.M. Douie. Philatelic Journal of India , May 1922.
The Stamps of Sirmoor Major Evans. Philatelic Journal of India Aug 1939.

Map of India/Indian Princely States

2006-07-08T23:38:00.000-07:00

Jammu & Kashmir Telegraph Stamps (On Receipt Forms)

2006-07-07T22:57:00.000-07:00

In 1878 a treaty was signed between Maharaja Ranbir Singh's government and the British to establish telegraph lines between Jammu & Srinagar as well as between Srinagar & Gilgit, the first being of primary interest to the Maharaja and the second to the British (as they were concerned about the Northern borders and central asia). Perhaps due to this reason, Jammu & Kashmir was the only princely state that was allowed its own issue of Telegraph stamps.

Patiala can be also considered to have issued telegraph stamps. Stamps of Patiala overprinted 'Telephone' were in reality telegraph stamps. Supposedly the Maharaja of Patiala wanted his own telegraph system like Jammu and Kashmir to the north. The (British) Indian Government said “No!” , so they set up a system whereby messages were dictated and transmitted by word of mouth instead of by morse, called it a telephone system and printed ‘Telephone’ on the stamps to prove it.

Jammu & Kashmir telegraph stamps are especially rare on piece (used on telegraph receipt forms). Dawson, Eames, Kashmir Blue - none of these famous collections had a single such item. The Haverbeck auction had mentioned two such forms. After a census, I have come to the conclusion that less than 10 such pieces (optimistic!) exist in collections. There were two types of telegraph receipt forms used - the standard British Indian Telegram receipt and a native receipt (totally different in design and with writing in persian). Of the latter perhaps just a couple exist (including one in my collection).

Another part telegraph form with three "TWO/ANNAS" (serif) on 2r dark brown and blue and "8 ANNAS" on 5r green and red.

References :

Frits Staal , The Stamps of Jammu & Kashmir

Hiscocks Document on Patiala

Spectacular Item of 20th Century British Indian Philately

2006-07-04T23:03:00.000-07:00

1926-33 1R Chocolate and Green, wmk Multiple stars, block of three Error Head Omitted. The second largest surviving se-tenant multiple of this amazing error and as per Stanley Gibbons the most spectacular item of 20th century British Indian Philately. From a sheet discovered in c.1929 in whch one right pane of 12 (4x3) showed total omission of the chocolate printing, while the left pane of 24 (4x6) below showed total omission from ten stamps and partial omission from two more - all in all 22 such HEAD OMITTED stamps exist. A 1929 souvenir cover was also printed by the authorities depicting the sheet with the error. The largest such surviving block is made up of four such stamps. (Description courtesy of Gibbons)

Holcombe Photo Certificate.

Overview of Duttia Stamps and Details of the Rarest Item of India (The Duttia Cover)

2006-07-04T22:45:00.000-07:00

The stamps of Duttia were first discovered in 1897 from notes supplied by Mr. Pigott which were also published in the Philatelic Journal of India (February 1897). When the stamps of Duttia were first discovered, SG3 (as per the 2004 Stanley Gibbons catalog) and the trefoil issues (SG4-7) were available. The late discovery by philatelists (It would seem that the Duttia Post Office started around 1894 as indicated by the writing on the control seal) is the reason why the early issues are extremely rare. Even though it was clear for a long time that the “current” SG3 was of a more primitive design, it was initially catalogued after the trefoil issues (What is a Trefoil?). It was the careful examination of the figure of the Ganesha and the discovery of this famous cover that the catalog numbering was changed in the early 1990’s.

Example of a Trefoil Issue - SG7. 1896 4a black/rose , no wmk, impref with blue control handstamp, stained and creased with thick paper adhesive on reverse. BPA certificate.

The control seal was used as a mechanism to prevent loss of treasury revenue – till the control seal was applied to a stamp/stationary it was considered worthless. The control seal is known in red, brown, blue and black.

The central figure in any Duttia postage stamp is the figure of the Ganesha. The trefoil issues (currently SG4-7) are known with breaks in the trunk of the Ganesha and other differences such as the pedestial not fully extending. This ultimately caused the clichés being replaced by the newer larger Ganesha (SG8-11 are known with both the older and the newer figures). The current SG1, SG2 & SG3 are only known with the Ganesha’s figure intact and with a fully extended pedestial.

The cover is significant as it is the only usage known on cover (or piece) for the first seven issues (SG1-7) of the princely state !!! That too containing a unique stamp (SG2 with a red control seal – also the only Duttia Stamp with a red control seal) and another which is very rare (SG3a). The stamps were for registration charges on a half-anna postal stationary envelope (Deschl E4var - stamp printed on an inverted envelope and also rare).

In summary

SG1 and the trefoil issues are not known used. SG3 is known used/cancelled with a “barred D” cancel, but not on cover or piece other than in this item. What this means is that of the first seven issues of the state (SG1 – to SG7) – this is the only known cover ! In terms of rarity, approximately 7-8 copies of SG2 (with blue and black control seals) and a lesser number for SG3 is known – implying that the stamps themselves are extremely rare. Clearly this is a magnificent philatelic item and a critical historical item as well.

Extensively written about and documented over the last 50 years by Stoney, Douie, Garett Adams, Staal , Rover and others. There is no other particular piece of Indian philately that has been written about so much. This item was first discovered by Stoney in 1945.

The postal stationary envelope is of type printed inverted (Deschl E4 var) – also previously not recorded and rare.

All first issue stamps of Duttia (SG1-7) are rarities by themselves.

2006 Certification by the BPA with Dr. Philip Kinns signature.

References

The Duttia State Post - C.L. Pigott, Philatelic Journal of India , Feb 1897

The stamps of the Indian Feudatory States - F.M. Douie, Philatelic Journal of India ,December 1934

Duttia - R.F. Stoney - Philatelic Journal Of India (The cover was first mentioned here), 1942 (?)

Duttia , An issue of 50 years ago discovered - Garratt Adams, The Philatelic Journal, April 1950 (The cover was discussed in detail)

Duttia, Some further notes on the issue recently discovered - Garratt Adams, Philatelic Journal of Great Britain, Dec 1950 (an article solely devoted to the cover)

Dilemmas of Early Duttia - Frits Staal, London Philatelist, October 1992 (the cover and the early issues are discussed)

Duttia : Duttiah : Dutia : Datia 1893-1993 : A Stamp Centenary ? , Peter Rover (the cover and the early issues are discussed)

Duttia - Handstamp, Singhee, Philatelic Journal of India, October 1977.

Pictures From Duttia/Datia

2006-07-04T20:47:00.000-07:00

Palace of Birsing Deo at Duttia

Palace of Birsing Deo and the Lake at Duttia

Rajgarh Palace At Duttia

Pictures are taken from the internet and seem to be attributable to Lala Deen Dayal

Overseas Philatelic Rarities

2006-07-04T20:18:00.000-07:00

Note: The items in this particular article are not in my collection. All other items depicted elsewhere in this site are from my collection.

The rarest of items in philately have the following characteristics:

Unique or extremely rare - e.g. British Guyana One Cent Magenta.
Be genuinely used either on cover or extracted from cover. This is especially important as printers waste somehow enters into the philatelic market - e.g. Sweden's 3-skilling-banco "Error of Color".
It should be of the first/early issue of a country. Clearly the early issues of a country have the most historical significance and ‘cache’ in comparison to the later issues. Also as for many countries, stamps of some of the later issues were printed to order for philatelists – e.g. Mauritius Post Office
Last, but not the least it should have philatelic significance – e.g. The Dawson Hawaiian missionary cover .

Given the strict criteria above, there should be no doubt in anybody’s mind about the rarity of items satisfying the above conditions, not just in context of India but of the world of philately in general. Any item that satisfies all the above must be exceptionally rare/unique. A more detailed description is as follows,

The Dawson Hawaiian Missionary Cover of 1852 is the only known cover bearing a copy of the 2¢ Hawaiian Missionary issue. Also on the cover are a 5¢ Missionary and a pair of 3¢ stamps from the US 1851 issue. Seen on letters sent by missionaries in Hawaii, the stamps were printed at a newspaper plant in Hawaii. Last sold November 7, 1995 for $2,090,000 (inc. buyer’s premium) by Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

The "Treskilling" Yellow, or 3 skilling banco error of color, is a postage stamp of Sweden. In 1855, Sweden issued its first postage stamps, a set of five depicting the Swedish coat of arms, with denominations ranging from 3 to 24 skillings banco. The stamp was extracted from a cover found by a young collector in his grand mothers attic. In 1984 the stamp made headlines when it was sold by David Feldman for 977,500 Swiss francs. A 1990 sale realized over one million US$, then in 1996 it sold again for 2,500,000 Swiss francs

The British Guiana 1¢ magenta is among the rarest of all postage stamps. Issued in limited numbers in British Guiana (now Guyana) in 1856, only one specimen is now known to exist. It belonged to the Ferarry collection that was willed to a Berlin museum following Ferrary's death in 1917, but was taken by France as war reparations following the end of World War I. Arthur Hind bought it during the series of fourteen auctions in 1922 for over US$36,000 (reportedly outbidding three kings, including King George V), and it was sold by his widow for US$40,000 to a Florida engineer. In 1970, a syndicate of Pennsylvanian investors, headed by Irwin Weinberg, purchased the stamp for $280,000 and spent much of the decade exhibiting the stamp in a worldwide tour. John E. du Pont bought it for $935,000 in 1980, and it is believed to be locked away in a bank vault, while its owner is serving a 30-year sentence for murder.

The Mauritius Post Office postage stamps are amongst the rarest and most valuable stamps in the world. They are also known as the Blue Penny and the Red Penny. Their value is due to two factors — they were the first stamps of the British Empire to be produced outside the United Kingdom and in their initial issue were printed with the wrong wording. These first issues of Mauritius catalogue at over ₤500,000 (the Mints are rarer and un-catalogued and have recently sold in excess of a million pounds) with around 10-12 individual stamps in total known and mostly exhibited in museums.

The United States 1¢ Z grill is the rarest of all US stamps, with only two known to exist (of a thousand printed ). Last sold to Don Sundman of Mystic Stamp Company in October, 1998 as part of the Robert Zoellner collection for $935,000 (inc. buyer’s premium) by Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries. Exchanged by Sundman on November 2, 2005 for the unique inverted Jenny plate block auctioned two weeks earlier for $2.97 million to Bill Gross.

About Me/About This Site

2006-04-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

I collect stamps of India/Indian Princely States and plan to display my entire collection on the web. I am starting by first describing the undisputed crown jewel of Indian Philately (the postal history item from the feudatory state of Duttia) and subsequently the rest of my collection (as time permits). The items are for display only – the intention being to share information and further encourage other collectors of India/Indian Princely States – no items are for sale.

In some images the cancellations, overprints have been blackened-out for obvious reasons.

A little more about me - my LinkedIn profile.