Philately
What makes Philately a special hobby for me ?
Philately is a delightful hobby that sharpens and satisfies your aesthetic tastes. While
expanding your knowledge of and interaction with the world you live in, you get to know
interesting details of politics, history , prominent personalities, national and international
events, geography, flora and fauna, agriculture, science, monuments, soldiers, warriors,
scientists, arms and ammunition, modes of transport etc. This process of learning becomes
more delightful through visuals and brief write-ups. In addition, philately cultivates a
meticulous and focused attention to detail. It also helps you to make friends across
boundaries and age limits.
What can I collect ?
Both mint - stamps (unused stamps) and used stamps can be collected. These can be
collected year-wise , nation-wise or theme-wise. To make this easier and more attractive
to beginners, philatelists generally advise you to collect stamps according to a
selection of your choice called a Thematic Collection. Themes may be flowers, birds,
animals, architecture, railways, monuments, Red Cross etc... Definitive stamps and
stationery can also be collected as a theme. The bottom line is that the collection unfolds
various aspects of a theme like a story.
Types of Stamps
There are commemorative and definitive stamps. Commemorative stamps are issued, as
the name suggests, to commemorate important events, prominent personalities in various
fields, aspects of nature, beautiful or rare flora and fauna, environmental issues,
agricultural activities, national/international issues, games etc. These stamps are only
available at Philatelic Bureaux and counters or under the Philatelic Deposit Account Scheme.
They are printed in limited quantities.
Definitive stamps on the other hand, are used for day - to - day postal mailing
purposes and are available in various ascending denominations from 20 paisa onwards at all
postal counters.
How do I collect used stamps ?
Do not throw away letters that you receive. You can collect used up stamps through them.
These can be detached delicately from the postal articles. Rinse in a shallow dish of
water, using your hands or a soft brush. Carefully dry them in a dark place as the ultra
violet rays of sunlight can damage the colours. It is also valuable to retain stamps along
with the envelopes on which they are pasted as this authenticates their use.
Where can I get stamps ?
Mint stamps are available at Philatelic Bureaux and Counters in the designated post
offices, details of which will be available at your nearest Head Post Office. You may like to
get. in touch with local philatelists who can perhaps guide your interest. Make pen -
friends both in the country and abroad -you will be surprised at the number of people who
share your interest.
How can I get and use albums ?
Albums are available at leading Book and Stationery stores and with philatelists.
Pasting stamps ruins them. Use paper hinges or "havids" to place them in a album. Plastic
strip albums are now available and are ideal to use for beginners. Handle stamps with
pincers to avoid smudging or damaging them in any way with your fingers.
What is the Philatelic material available at Philatelic Bureaux ?
Philatelic material includes -
Mint stamps (unused stamps)
First Day Covers (FDCs, which are issued with every commemorative stamp )
Brochure (Information sheet accompanying each commemorative stamp )
Collectors' Packs, year-wise
Miniature/Souvenir sheets which are sometime issued with
Commemorative stamps.
Catalogue of Postage Stamps of India since 1947
What is a Philatelic Bureau, a Philatelic Counter and an authorised office?
Philatelic Bureaux function in 59 Head Post Offices at Circle Head Offices or in major
district towns.
-They carry out sale of philatelic items to individuals, dependent counters and
authorised Post offices.
-Philatelic Deposit Accounts can be opened at these Bureaus.
-Philatelic counters supply all philatelic items but are not authorised to issue the Special
Cancellation that accompanies each commemorative stamp.
-They provide a standard "First Day of Issue" cancellation on first day cover. Authorised
offices only sell commemorative/special stamps, blank first day covers and brochures.
Philatelic News Letters
Please write to tilak@[Link]
Catalogue of Indian Postage Stamps
Periodically a catalogue of Indian Postage Stamps from 1947 onwards is updated
and is made available for sale from the Philatelic Bureaux. If you need it from abroad,
please contact the Director, Mumbai GPO, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Contacting Philatelists
Many queries are received from beginners particularly, seeking guidance for starting
a collection of postage stamps. You may wish to obtain information or consult the
Philatelic Congress of India at sahadevas@[Link] Department of Posts is not,
however, responsible for the information etc. supplied by the Philatelic Congress of India
as the Department does not handle the secondary market in Philately.
Conditions for reproduction of Stamp Images
Re- production of stamps is allowed for illustration purposes in Philatelic Publication or
in an article relating wholly on postage stamps which may appear in any magazine,
newspaper or publication of a general character. Such reproduction should however , be
only in black. If stamps are to be produced in colour for publicity purposes, prior
permission of the Director General of Posts must be obtained. To avoid similarity
with the postage , such reproduction must be distinctively in smaller or larger sizes than
the actual stamp and must be without perforation on the edges. Further, across bar will also
be placed on one- corner of the stamp, obliterating the denomination. It must be noted that
reproduction of the stamp in colour of the actual size of the stamp with perforation
of the edges may be deemed to be taken as production of the actual stamp".
Publication
A philatelic publication, titled "India's Freedom Struggle through India Postage Stamps"
brought out by the Department of Posts, India, in Hindi and English is now available for
sale at the Philatelic Bureaux for INR 500/- with 40% discount. However, packing and
forwarding charges will be paid in advance with the cost of the Book by the purchaser.
Charges payable within India on account of forwarding by registered letters are INR
220/- and by registered parcels are INR 60/- .The net amount may be remitted by
Money Order or demand draft ( not cheque) after deducting the admissible discount and
adding the packing and forwarding charges. For registered letters, therefore, the total
amount is INR 520/- and for registered parcel INR 360/-.
For over - seas orders, the net amount of INR 830/- for countries falling in
Category-I and INR 1070/- for countries falling in Category-1I is required to be remitted
to Mumbai GPO only, who is authorised to handle such orders.
Rates for Special Cancellation/Cover
Departmental fees Old rates for the special cancellation/cover Revised/enhanced rates for the special
cancellation/cover
Per day per Post Per day if it is at proponent's Per day per Post Per day if it is at proponent's
Office in INR premises in INR Office in INR premises in INR
On working days 1,500/- 3,000/- 5,000/- 10,000/-
On
3,000/- 6,000/- 10,000/- 20,000/-
Sundays/holidays
The new rate comes into force with effect from 01-08-2010
From India From Overseas
Director (Philately) Director
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg Mumbai GPO
New Delhi - 110 001 Mumbai - 400 001
Ph. 91-11-3710154 Ph. 91-22-22620693
Fax. 91-11-3711731 Fax. 91-22-22624199
email - directorphilately@[Link]
email - mumbaigpo@[Link]
Manju@[Link]
