Colourful History of Old Indian Stamps and Philately

There is a lot to explore when it comes to the history of Indian stamps. Some of these old Indian stamps are extremely rare. Let’s take a quick look at some interesting facts about Indian Philately. 

Old Indian Stamps
Scinde Dawk is not only considered to be the very first stamps of India but also as the earliest stamps of Asia. It was made of red ceiling wax wafers and had an embossed design. These rare Indian postage stamps were circulated within the Sindh region and are highly sought-after by collectors all over the world. They bore the denomination half anna and only 100 such stamps exist today, making them highly desirable.

Indian stamps issued during the British regime featured portraits of kings and queens. The inverted head four annas stamp issued in 1854 is a rare gem which is auctioned for lakhs of rupees. This octagonal shaped postage stamp of India featured an inverted image of Queen Victoria and was printed due to an error. Owning these Indian rare stamps is every collector’s dream.

First Stamps of Independent India
The very first stamps in India issued after independence featured the tricolour flag along with the slogan “Jai Hind”. It bore the denomination three and a half annas and was issued on 21ist November 1947. However, these Indian stamps were used for international correspondence. The second postage stamp of India depicted the Ashokan Lion Capital. It bore the denomination 1 and half annas and was released for domestic mails. 

Commemorative Stamps of India
There are numerous fascinating aspects of our country which are worth exploring as themes for Indian stamp designs. Over the years, India has issued numerous interesting commemorative Indian stamps to celebrate important events, achievements or to honour important personalities. These events, institutions, organisations and personalities belong to different categories.

Through the study of these unique stamps in India, the younger generation can discover many amazing facts about our country. That’s the reason why, it’s very important to promote the hobby of stamp collecting among youngsters. They should be encouraged to collect stamps of India based on various themes such as animals, birds, flowers, monuments, history, science, art, culture etc.  This will increase their general knowledge to a great extent.

Now, that you know something about the history of old Indian stamps, start looking for some interesting varieties and put together an impressive collection.

There’s no Age for Collecting Stamps of India

I have been collecting stamps of India ever since I was 10 years old. From then on, there has been no looking back. There are many people who think that stamp collecting is a hobby for the kids. Those who have that opinion don’t know that there is a huge community of philatelists in the world who specialize in rare stamps of India. Many of these Indian rare stamps have been sold at international auction houses for lakhs of rupees. Apart from that, money is not everything in life. One has to be passionate about something that will keep him or her excited always.

What is the point in living each day just like yesterday. There has to be something unique that you learn every day. Indian stamps are my source to that uniqueness that I keep craving for. My collection of old Indian stamps is a window to some of the most fascinating aspects about our country’s history, traditions, nature, wildlife, flora, geography, landmarks, events, personalities and more.  

As technology is picking up at a very fast rate, writing letters has become a thing of the past. The

chances of finding kids of today’s generation indulging in a hobby like stamp collecting are very feeble. That’s the reason why it is our responsibility to introduce kids to the amazing world of Indian stamps. You can take them to the nearest post office and show them the latest stamps in India.

My kids too were not too keen in taking up this hobby even after I showed them my collection of old Indian stamps. But slowly, as I started narrating the stories behind these rare stamps of India, they became more and more curious to learn. I also lent them a few interesting Indian stamps from my own collection to start theirs. Today they meet their friends and discuss about old Indian stamps whenever they get some time. They also motivate their friends to indulge in stamp collecting.

So, if you really want to do it, you will find a way to do it! Doesn’t matter what the society thinks about you. Keep listening to your heart and continue collecting beautiful Indian stamps as long as you are healthy enough to do so!

Unique themes to look out in Stamps of India

There are many ways in which you can study about India’s rich culture, history and tradition. The best way would be to collect stamps of India because they reflect different aspects of our past in a colorful way. For collectors who are interested in unique themes, Indian stamps are a dream to collect. Themes like important personalities, events, inventions etc are featured on rare Indian stamps. Over the years, the market for old Indian Stamps has increased due to the kind of unique themes that they follow. One of the themes is horses of India, another one depicts Himalayan flowers. There is a beautiful set of Indian stamps that portrays the evolution of Indian railways through the ages. Locomotive engines are also depicted on another set of lovely stamps in India. Some of the rare Indian stamps featuring Mahatma Gandhi have been sold for an impressive amount. Apart from rarity, the condition of stamps also matters when it comes to auctions. Avoid adding folded or soiled stamps to your collection, since other collectors wouldn’t be too keen on acquiring them.

India post keeps coming up with unique themes and topics. This maintains the excitement levels of those who collect stamps in India. PM Narendra Modi recently released a set of stamps depicting various aspects of Lord Rama and Ramayana, one of the greatest Indian epics. Then there are scented stamps of India which come with the odour of sandalwood, coffee and jasmine. If you are interested in collecting unique and rare Indian stamps, these amazing scented stamps would be a great add on for your collection. Generally, all stamps are either square shaped or rectangular. There are some uniquely shaped stamps in India like the hexagonal stamp featuring turtles. It is really an ocean out there if you are interested in collecting stamps of India. Keep looking out for these wonderful stamps and add value to your collection.

Why are Stamps of India so Popular?

There are many reasons why collectors from around the world love collecting Stamps of India. Being a country which is so diverse in terms of culture, traditions and history, there are a wide range of topics that are covered through Indian stamps. Youngsters can easily upgrade their knowledge about our country by studying old Indian stamps in detail. There are many stamps of India that celebrate your freedom fighters while there are many others which showcase the rich wildlife of our nation. If you are a topical collector then there are varied subjects that can be touched upon. Apart from that, there are some rare Indian stamps which have been sold for impressive rates by auction houses across the world. This shows the genuine interest among collectors for enhancing their collection of rare stamps of India. So, whenever you get a chance, add old Indian stamps to your collection and do what you can to protect them.

If you are a first time stamp collector, the best way to start collecting Indian stamps is by heading straight to the post office. You can take a look at the latest releases and select the ones which you like the most. All you will have to do is pay the postal rates. Once you can added your first set of old Indian stamps to your collection, you can start building your network by connecting with like-minded collectors. There are so many online groups and social media communities out there, that talking to someone from the other end of the world also seems extremely easy. You can then step out and visit those exhibitions which display rare Indian stamps to learn more about them. You could also refer books on philately where you might find some handy tips for collecting stamps in India. The options are limitless really; all you need are good intent, passion, discipline and patience!

Learn about Stamps of India and why it is an interesting hobby

Out of boredom arises hobbies that sometimes develop into a passionate affair, a sort of life calling occurs. During our childhood, we all engaged in hobbies that we daringly pursued, some liked to collect currency notes, some to collect Stamps of India and some to collect antique coins. No matter what the hobby, the hunger to know more should never diminish, that’s the key to a persistent hobby. Give your hobby wings to fly, it shouldn’t matter how weird your hobby is as long as you love it.

Indians wisely make use of their time and engaging in a fruitful hobby, is like finding your true self. Collecting stamps of India is one hobby that not many give their attention to, but once surrendered to it; marvel is what you’ll be. Stamps in India have an amazing history attached to it and when one takes it up as a hobby, one will certainly raise the bar as far as knowledge is concerned. Indian stamps have evolved quite a bit, from the ancient period to the modern times; they have enriched themselves in every era.

Aspiring stamp collectors will definitely be amazed at how old Indian stamps reflect Indian culture and how beautifully they have depicted the history of stamps of India. Collectors willing to gather rare stamps of India should build in themselves the three qualities necessary to become a successful stamp collector. First is an inquisitive mind, second is patience and third is to gain knowledge. Once these things are built, a stamp collector can enhance himself by attending various events where old Indian stamps find their shelter. Gradually, a stamp collector graduates to a mature level and gains a deeper understanding of stamps of India, and its history behind it.

Therefore, fire your hobby and turn it into a passion that is done for the joy of it and it’ll last forever.

Why Topical Collectors Love Rare Stamps of India

Topical stamps are favourites among collectors. Every collector loves following a particular theme for collecting stamps. Some like to collect stamps featuring flowers while there are many who are interested in stamps that depict prominent personalities. It all depends on a collector’s area of interest. As a collector you need to find your personal area of interest with time and tread along. It is very natural for someone who is a sportsman to collect stamps related to sports and sportsmen. Topical collectors will love Indian stamps since there are several themes that can be explored. Have you wondered why there are so many themes that Rare Stamps of India fall into? That’s because of what India is known for – Unity in Diversity. Our country is a land with so many traditions and cultures. Not just that, our history is thousands of years old. From mighty kings to the brave freedom fighters, there are so many riveting stories hidden in our past. There are many Rare Indian Stamps that commemorate these historical events and personalities. Various other Indian Stamps have been released over the years celebrating the diverse wildlife. From high snow-clad mountains to, dense forests, our geographical and climatic conditions are diverse as well.

 Old Indian Stamps are sought after world over because of their interesting and varied subjects. For those who want to understand our country, Indian Stamps serve like a mirror. They are a medium through which you would get closer to our vibrant and kaleidoscopic culture. As a kid, I was always amused by foreign stamps, but later when my uncle showed me his collection of amazing Indian Stamps, I was totally spellbound. I always encourage young collectors to look for interesting Old Stamps of India that will add a lot of value to their collection. In that process of collecting Indian stamps, they would also understand the vastness of our rich traditions, culture and history!

Why you should make your kids collect Indian Stamps

Parenting is something that not many give importance to. The future of your kids depends completely on how you raise them. Children learn from their elders and follow their guidance. It is always advised to guide children at the right time so that when they grow older they become responsible citizens. These days, there are various hobbies and skills that you can teach your kids. From drawing, to skating, the list is endless. Finding an interesting way to learn new things is also very crucial. That’s where a hobby like stamp collecting comes into the picture. I myself love collecting Indian Stamps and I plan to teach my kids too about the hobby. The reason for that is very simple, because the conventional educational system in India is extremely boring.

I remember when I was kid, I hated the textbooks completely. Most of the teachers would only read one chapter after the other and explain concepts. We used to comeback home and spend hours doing our homework but nothing used to go into our heads. Even during exam times, all we did was memorize everything without understanding the core concept.

Things changed drastically the moment I started collecting Stamps of India. I started looking carefully at the images that were depicted on all those Rare Indian Stamps. Then I slowly started reading about whatever was shown on a new stamp I got. Many a times, I also related what I was learning by collecting Old Indian Stamps with what I was learning at school. What really matters is the right kind of attitude more than anything else.

Now when I am a parent, I would want my kids to pursue the hobby of collecting Indian Stamps so that they are not just stuck in textbooks. Apart from that, the hobby allows you to make a few more good friends in life!

 

Find Your Escape Through Stamps in India

It all started with one postal stamp of India. A hobby that went on to become my best friend! Well, I understand it’s really difficult to personify a hobby, but that’s what exactly happened with me. Nobody would ever imagine how relieving collecting stamps in India can be. When there is no much going on in the real world, who wouldn’t seek an escape? Far away from boring reality, the imagery depicted on stamps in India, slowly take life. I always have a dream to visit different beautiful locations of our country, experiencing traditions that define us as Indians. Being brought up in a middle-class family, you don’t get too many chances to travel that far. The only opportunity you have is during school vacations when parents might make a plan to visit and explore a new place. But then, that happens only once a year. By collecting stamps in India, you can actually get transported to a whole new world. 

As they say, it’s all in your head! The moment you decide to imagine, you can go wherever you wish to. Stamps in India cover various interesting topics and collecting them can actually enrich your knowledge. It’s at least better than other pastimes like whiling away time on the internet or social media websites.  The first thing you need to do when you find a postal stamp of India, is read about whatever is depicted on them. The best part of researching this ways is that there is no time constraint. You are not preparing for an exam or something. Relax, take your own sweet time and understand concepts for actually understanding them and not for clearing your exams. Apart from that, when I started indulging myself in collecting stamps in India, I started opening up, talking to random people who are into the hobby, making more genuine friends!