Warning: file(http://rss.api.ebay.com/ws/rssapi?FeedName=SearchResults&siteId=0&language=en-US&output=RSS20&catref=C5&sacqy=&sacur=0&from=R6&saobfmts=exsif&sabfmts=0&fsop=3&fsoo=2&fts=&sacqyop=ge&saslc=&floc=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&saaff=afepn&ftrv=1&ftrt=1&fcl=4&fls=&afepn=5336046945&customid=phpbay&nojspr=y&frpp=2&satitle=India+Stamps&saatc=&sacat=-1&saslop=1&fss=0) [function.file]: failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! in /home/vintage08/vintageantiquecollectible.com/phpbay/ebay.php on line 1056
 

stamps -> Stamps -> Asia

India stamps were first used in 1852, and were known as the Scinde Dawk stamps, during the country’s postal system reform. This came after centuries of messages being carried in India on foot by runners who followed paths, and about a year of horses and camels transporting messengers instead of runners. The whole system was revamped to offer better communication, and mostly to make commerce easier for the British East India Company. The stamps showed that the fee for the transport of the message had been paid in advance.

These first India stamps were hand stamped onto paper or a small disc of wax, with the British East India Company’s mark in the center, and the name of the stamp around the edge. They derived their name, Scinde District Dawk, because they were first used in the Sindh district. These stamps were on white or off-white paper, printed in blue. The wax stamps were red wax affixed to paper. Because these stamps were only used for 2 years and then suppressed, they’re rare and highly collectible.

The East India Company had a great stake in making the postal system work more efficiently, because faster deliveries meant more profits, and a better system could cut months off delivery time. They tried introducing new India stamps in early 1854 but were unsuccessful. Then in 1855, a new stamp featuring Queen Victoria that stated East India Postage on its face was used until 1858, after India rebelled against the East India Company’s hold over the country.

The first stamps featuring images besides profiles and heads came in 1931, with fortresses and buildings representing their government’s move from city to city. The first India stamps after India gained its independence were issued in 1947, and feature India’s flag. Many commemorative stamps have been released over the years, including those that commemorate India’s inauguration in 1950, and one memorializing Mahatma Gandhi.

Part of what makes collecting India stamps such a fun and rewarding hobby, is that these early hand-embossed stamps are still being discovered today by collectors. Also, the early imperforate stamps are less expensive than early stamps from most other countries across the world, and so easier to acquire and collect, especially for the casual and beginning collector. For those who collect more modern and current stamps, the designs on Indian stamps are some of the most varied and beautiful in the world.

If you’re looking for India stamps online in auctions like eBay, be sure that all the pertinent information is available in the auction. If it’s not, ask the seller pointed questions. If he picture of the stamps is blurry or from too far away, you might not be able to see any imperfections or damage on the stamp, so ask for a clearer picture or move on to a seller who provides them. India stamps with military covers are a popular specialty within India stamp collecting, so if you can find these you’ll have an interesting and historical piece for your collection.

Originally posted 2008-11-13 05:03:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Related Posts

• Monroe Stamp Stamps -> Topical-and-Specialty -> Famous People The Marilyn Monroe stamp was released on June 1, 1995, on what would have been Marilyn’s 69th birthday. It joined the ranks of what the United States Postal Service calls “blockbuster” stamps, like the Elvis stamp, and some commemorative stamps like those honoring Civil......
• United States Stamps Stamps -> Books and Manuscripts -> Back of Book United States stamps are fun to collect and you will have many different varieties from which to choose. If you are looking for a hobby for your kids, or you are just interested in US history, these stamps are a great......
• Collecting Postage Stamps Many people do not think of collecting postage stamps as a suitable collection, because collecting small sticky images and placing them in plastic sheets in a binder or book does not appear to be the most exciting past time in the world. The truth is, however, that collecting stamps can......
• Stamps of Greece   Stamps -> Europe -> Greece Stamp collectors who collect world stamps usually have a fondness for the stamps of Greece, with the bold designs, and the history they represent. The first stamps of Greece are called Hermes head stamps, because they feature a profile of the Greek god Hermes......
• Post Office Stamps Stamps -> United States -> Collections Post office stamps are a great collectible for kids to enjoy, and luckily, it isn’t all that hard to start a collection. Before you start building your collection, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have all the supplies you’ll need. This......

Related Websites

• Baseball Cards Sports Memorabilia -> Autographs, Original -> Baseball-MLB-> Trading Cards Baseball cards have been around for just about as long as the sport has and many of them have turned into very valuable collector items. Whether you are interested in collecting baseball cards from a fan perspective, or you are more......
• Subway cancelling their Sub Club program Know those little stamps that you might collect when you go to Subway for lunch? Better cash 'em in fast -- the program is being cancelled at the end of September, 2005 (according to an employee at my local Subway). Too many counterfeit stamps up for auction on eBay, too......
• Coca Cola Collectibles Collectibles -> Advertising -> Soda-> Coca-Cola By far, one of the most endearing collectibles that has become popular over the past few decades are Coca Cola collectibles. This company has done a great job of coming up with many ways to create valuable and memorable products that are highly sought......
• Franklin Mint Collectibles Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles -> Franklin Mint One of the most popular brands of collectibles are Franklin Mint Collectibles. This company is well known throughout the world for providing collectible editions at reasonable prices and they even offer payment plans for their more expensive items. This has allowed thousands, if......
• Forever Stamp: You pay for choice The United States Postal Service will be bumping the price of a first-class stamp up a cent to 42 cents on May 12th, 2008. We (foolishly?) have about a couple books' worth of non-Forever stamps that we probably won't be able to burn through before the 12th. (I didn't use......

Online Stores

• India Asia, Middle East Paper Money World Coins Paper Money
• Asia, Middle East Paper Money World Coins Paper Money
• Early Halves 1794-1839 Halves Coins US Coins Paper Money
• Hong Kong Asia, Middle East Coins World Coins Paper Money
• Middle East Stamps

Warning: file(http://rss.api.ebay.com/ws/rssapi?FeedName=SearchResults&siteId=0&language=en-US&output=RSS20&catref=C5&sacqy=&sacur=0&from=R6&saobfmts=exsif&sabfmts=0&fsop=3&fsoo=2&fts=&sacqyop=ge&saslc=&floc=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&saaff=afepn&ftrv=1&ftrt=1&fcl=4&fls=&afepn=5336046945&customid=phpbay&nojspr=y&frpp=90&satitle=India+Stamps&saatc=&sacat=-1&saslop=1&fss=0) [function.file]: failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 503 Service Unavailable in /home/vintage08/vintageantiquecollectible.com/phpbay/ebay.php on line 1056
  If you liked this article, vote for it on del.icio.us and stumbleupon.



Categories:

Canceled Postage Stamps, India Stamps, Old Postage Stamps, Stamp Collecting, Used Stamps, collectible stamps, stamp collection, stamp collector, valuable stamps

Tags:

Asian stamps, collectible stamps, collecting stamps, India Stamps, Stamp Collecting, Stamp Collections, stamp collector, stamps of Asia, stamps of India, Used Stamps, valuable stamps