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Preview of Stamps Catalogue: VOLUME 1

INDIAN SETTLEMENTS OF FRANCE 1892-1913

Établissement de l'Inde (Inde Française)

Return To Catalogue - 1914 onwards - France

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The Indian Settlements of France consisted of five territories in India; Pondichery, Chandarnagar, Karikal, Mahe, and Yanaon (Yanam). Chandarnagar was joined to West Bengal in 1949. In 1954, Indian stamps were introduced, when the last territory returned to India. The French Indian Settlements issued stamps from 1892 to 1954.

Stamps of the French Colonies used in the Indian Settlements of France:

Pondichery obliteration and "INDE" cancel on French colonies stamp

Pondichery cancel on 1 F stamp

1892 French colonies type, inscription "ETABLISSEMENTS DE L'INDE" in red or blue

  1 c black
  2 c brown on yellowish
  4 c brown
  5 c green
  10 c black
  10 c red
  15 c blue
  15 c grey
  20 c red on yellow
  25 c black
  25 c blue
  30 c brown
  35 c black
  40 c orange
  45 c black
  50 c red
  50 c brown on blue
  75 c lilac
  1 Fr green

These stamps have perforation 14 x 13 1/2. For stamps in the same Tablet design, but for other French colonies, click here.

vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon

*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare

Typical cancels:

Pondichery and Karikal

Rectangle with dots and "INDE" in the center.

(Fournier forgery)

Fournier has made forgeries of these 'Tablet' stamps, for more information on these forgeries click here.

Fournier forgery with forged "PONDICHERY 1 FEVR 92 INDE" cancel. Also a Fournier forgery of Indochina(!) with the same cancel.

Fournier forged cancels, the French India forged cancel can be found in the 2nd row, fifth cancel.

Suspicious postage due stamps with "PONDICHERY 1 FEVR 92 INDE", perhaps Fournier forgeries?

Some modern forgeries which also have the non matching corner perforations.

1904 As 1893 issue, but surcharged

  0,05 (red) on 25 c black
  0,10 (red) on 25 c black
  0,15 (red) on 25 c black
  0,40 (black) on 50 c red

vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon

*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare

Special cancel "INDE" and dots surrounded by a rectangle:

These two stamps appear to be forgeries to me, even though they were offered as genuine on a prestiguous Internet auction

Another (Fournier) forgery.

1903 Fiscal stamp, upper part surcharged "Inde Fcaise POSTES"

  0,05 c blue

vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon

*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare

If I'm well informed, there are some varieties of the overprint. It varies from 18 1/2 to 19 1/2 mm, the thickness of the lines below "caise" is variable. The "O" of "POSTES" is between the "d" and "e" of "Inde" or below the "e". The comma can be oval or round. A variety with larger "E" in "POSTES" exists. The "0" of the value exists normal or small. Some corrections were done (not sure about this). I would like to thank Yves Claude Levern for supplying me with this information.

A sheetlet with all postmarks of Pondichery of 1914; prepared by the postmaster(?).

French India, 1914 onwards

Copyright by Evert Klaseboer