Stanley Gibbons June auction demonstrates the strength of Indian and Chinese stamps with a bidding frenzy for rare Indian errors and 60% of China lots selling for double estimate or more.

Wednesday 15th June saw collectors and investors from across the globe focusing their attention on the Stanley Gibbons bi-annual public auction, held at 399 Strand, London as more than 1000 world lots went under the hammer.

Starting with foreign countries, the auction got off to a strong start with all Chinese lots finding buyers. More than 60% of Chinese lots went for double or more their pre-auction estimate including lot 19; the ever popular 1964 Chinese Peonies 2y miniature sheet (SG MS2199a) fine u/m, which sold for £2,760.

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published July 5th, 2011

Geneva auction house, David Feldman, sold a 1948 10 Rupee Mahatma Gandhi stamp of India for a World Record price of EUR 144,000 (US$ 205,000); this is the highest price ever paid for a single Indian stamp (smashing the previous 2010 record set by the 4 Annas “Inverted Head” error). Additionally it is also believed that this sale possibly represents a World Record price paid for a modern stamp from any country.

The stamp, probably the finest remaining example out of only 18 known in existence today, was issued by the Government of India as a set of 4 commemorative stamps on August 15th, 1948 as a tribute to the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated in January of the same year. These were the first commemorative stamps of Independent India, and issued in 4 denominations  – 1 ½ / 3 ½  / 12 Annas, and the 10 Rupees. A set of only 100 10 Rs. stamps (in two sheets) were overprinted with “Service”, making these the world’s least printed stamp.

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published June 5th, 2011

Showcasing some of the rarest stamp collections in the world, Indipex 2011 provided a unique meeting platform for collectors, dealers, designers, printers and postal administrations.

The exhibition took place in New Delhi, India between 12 and 18 February 2011. New Delhi has a rich historical past, and today is a bustling, cosmopolitan city that has played host to a number of successful international events. Spread over an area of nearly 3000 square metres with participation from 70 countries, Indipex 2011 is attracted upwards of 100,000 visitors.

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published April 14th, 2011

The Department of Post Friday said 600 medals were given to 62 countries in various stamp categories as Indipex 2011, the week-long World Philatelic Exhibition, came to a conclusion.

The event saw over one lakh visitors from across the country. Also the exhibition welcomed over 95 foreign delegates, 10000 school children, 200 exhibitors, 39 jury and 56 commissioners from across 70 countries.  

India Post also organised an awards ceremony where two highest awards were given to the exhibitors.

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published March 2nd, 2011

President Pratibha Patil inaugurated the World Philatelic Exhibition, INDIPEX 2011, today with an inspiring speech promoting Philately. The President then later released a special limited edition Khadi stamp featuring Mahatma Gandhi which only hours later was sold out as collectors queued at the India Post stamp keen on purchasing their copies. .

Ms Patil said in her opening speech, “While technological advancements may have provided many faster modes of communication, the intimacy of the letter and the legend of the stamp cannot be matched. Stamps are usually printed on paper. For the first time in history, a special Khadi stamp is being issued which is on Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of non-violence,”

A person could only order a maximum of 10 khadi stamps of Rs 250 each, according to the department, which issues them in a special collector’’s pack. The six-day-long philatelic exhibition also marks the centenary celebration of the first official Airmail flight in the world. The first Airmail flight took place in India  ”100 years ago, on February 18, 1911 a French pilot flew first Airmail flight between Allahabad and Naini. This 13 minute flight carried 6500 mails and was the world’’s first official airmail flight,” IT and Communications Minister Kapil Sibal, who was also present at the occasion said

The Minister said that, to commemorate INDIPEX 2011, India Post had

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published February 12th, 2011

From the 12th to the 18th February the World Stamp Expo 2011 will be held in Delhi, India.

INDIPEX 2011, the World Philatelic Exhibition aims to bring the international philatelic community together to celebrate philately, and will provide a unique platform for interaction between all the philatelic stake-holders, viz. the collectors, the dealers, the philatelic journalists and publishers, the designers and security printers, and the postal administrations who issue stamps and stationery.

The exhibition will be largely competitive and showcase some of the finest and rarest stamp collections from around the world. Stamps reflect the history, culture, ethos and concerns of nations and people, which makes stamp collection as a hobby interesting and educative.By showcasing the best philatelic collections, INDIPEX 2011 looks to attract many newcomers to explore the fascinating world of philately.

There is considerable excitement about the exhibition all around the world as it will be one of the biggest events in India after the Commonwealth Games.

It is being organized by India Post, Government of India, in association with the Philatelic Congress of India. The Federation International Philatelic (FIP) is extending its patronage, and the (read more)

published January 6th, 2011

A unique stamp printed on cloth is all set to grace the collections of philatelists world wide. In a bid to popularise philately, India Post has decided to release a stamp printed on khadi. A first such stamp in the country, it will bear the image  of Mahatma Gandhi.

 ”We will issue the special philately stamp on February 12, the inaugural day of week-long world philatelic exhibition —Indipex 2011 — that will be observed in India and Japan this year. President Pratibha Patil will inaugurate the stamp,” Harpreet Singh, director, Indipex 2011, said.

The stamp will be released at the national museum amid thousands of eminent philatelists from different countries.

“The stamp, with the denomination of R100, will be released on a single sheet and we are hoping that it would be in great demand,” said an officer of department of post’s philatelic bureau.

According to eminent philatelist Madhukar Jhingan, this is a revolutionary step (read more)

published December 14th, 2010

Another interesting fact is that this will also be  the first stamp to have the newly introduced Rupee Symbol on it instead of “Rs.” and with just the single denomination “5″ instead of “500″

published October 15th, 2010

Unlike other post offices in the city, the one at the Commonwealth Games Village is doing brisk business. At the centre of attraction for foreign athletes is the set of Shera postage stamps, selling like hot cakes. The postal department opened a post office in the International Zone of the Games

Village Sep 16 to provide a vend for speed post, registered post, ordinary mail and other services. It also houses a philately section where people can buy stamps.

India Post released four stamps – Shera, Queen’s Baton, Talkatora Stadium and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – commemorating the Games. Another stamp will be released Oct 3 on the opening ceremony of the 19th Games. 

According to the postal officials, the stamps related to the Games are attracting large (read more)

published October 3rd, 2010

The 2010 Commonwealth Games are the nineteenth Commonwealth Games, and the ninth to be held under that name. The Games are scheduled to be held in Delhi, India between 3 October and 14 October 2010.

The games will be the largest multi-sport event conducted to date in Delhi and India generally, which has previously hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. It will also be the first time the Commonwealth Games will be held in India and the second time the event has been held in Asia (after 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).

The stamps feature the Commonwealth Games official mascot carrying the famous Baton

published July 15th, 2010

On the 14th June 2010 India Post has issued a new 5.00INR stamp to pay tribute to Mr Deshbandhu Gupta

published June 25th, 2010