Early East India Stamps

The Rarest of East India Stamps

Overview

The Vintage British East India stamps of Queen Victoria had been issued since 1852 by British East India Company, 12 years after the first One Penny Black was issued in Great Britain. However, the first regular issue was the lithographed stamps from October 1854 comprises four values; Half Anna, One Anna, Two Annas and Four Annas. Those stamps have been extremely popular in the market and as well as studied by philatelist for many decades.

Some of them are very rare such as Half Anna Red 1852, One Anna Brown 1854 and Two Annas Green 1856. Despite many of issued have some error and classified as rarest stamps i.e. inverted crown jewel and types of cancellation.

Myla Collection: 1851 to 1876 East India Stamp Collection (Mint/Used)

Note: Stamp No. 1 at first row left is Half Anna Red 1854 Essay in Brownish Red. 

Stamps

The earliest cancellation comprised a diamond of diagonal lines containing the numerical number ‘124’ and following by other cancellation such as various duplex, squared-circle and CDS types.

There are also various techniques in producing East India stamps including line engraving, typography, lithography, photogravure and web-offset.  The stamps had been produced both for postage and service or revenue.

There are three types of stamps as well as imperforated sheets, perforated sheets and miniature sheets.

The issuance of East India stamp was until India's attainment of independence in 1947. The first India stamp was issued on 21 November 1947 depicting the Indian flag.

Early Stamps of India from page of the Scott International Junior Postage Stamp Album 1917

Mint Collection Album

1865 QV One Anna Brown Scott #22, Wmk. 38 Elephant Head,  Mint, CV USD3.0

1865 QV Two Annas Yellow Scott #23a, Wmk. 38 Elephant Head,  Mint, CV USD80.0

1866 QV Four Annas Scott #26B, Wmk. 38 Type II - slanting line besides mouth up & down, Elephant Head,  Mint, CV USD22.50

1873 QV Six  Annas  Bistre, Scott #33, Wmk. 38 Elephant Head,  Mint, CV USD6.0

1868 QV Eight Annas  Rose Scott #28, Wmk. 38 Elephant Head,  Mint, CV USD30.0

1876 QV Twelve Annas  Red Brown Scott #34, Wmk. 38 Elephant Head,  Mint, CV USD8.5

1867 QV Six Annas and Eight Pies Slate Scott #27, Wmk. 38 Elephant Head,  Mint, CV USD50.0

1874 QV Nine Pies Lilac Scott #32, Wmk. 38 Elephant Head,  Mint, CV USD15.0

1874 QV One Rupee Slate Scott #35, Wmk. 38 Elephant Head,  Mint, CV USD60.0