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.
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.
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