Home Catalogue index Volume 1 index Volume 2 index
Preview of Stamps Catalogue: VOLUME 1

INDIA 1855-1865 Issues

Return To Catalogue - India overview - India 1854 issue

Note: on my website many of the pictures can not be seen! They are of course present in the catalogue;
contact me if you want to purchase it.

For stamps of India issued in 1854, click here.

1855 Queen Victoria, inscription "EAST INDIA POSTAGE"

1/2 a blue 1 a brown 1 a brown, typical cancel Used in Singapore ('B172' cancel) 8 a red 

  1/2 a blue
  1 a brown
  2 a green
  2 a brown to orange
  4 a grey
  4 a green (1864)
  8 a red

These stamps have perforation 14.


The two types of the 8 a, diamonds or pearls in the crown.

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
On bluish paper, no watermark (1855)
4 a grey RR ***  
8 a RR ***  
On white paper, no watermark (1856)
1/2 a R **  
1 a R ***  
2 a green RRR - Prepared, but not issued
2 a orange RR *** Red: R
4 a black RR ***  
4 a green RRR RR Issued 1864
8 a RR ***  
With watermark 'Elephant head' (1865)
1/2 a blue *** c Specialists distinghuish two types
1 a *** *  
2 a orange R *  
4 a green RR R  
8 a red R *** Specialists distinghuish two types 
Official stamps, Overprinted "Service." (small or large)

1/2 a blue 2 p orange 4 a green
(Small "Service" overprint)

Large 'Service' overprint
(Large "Service" overprint)

  1/2 a blue
  1 a brown
  2 a red
  4 a green
  8 a red

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
On stamps with no watermark (small 'Service')
1/2 a RRR RR  
1 a RRR RR  
8 a *** RR  
On stamps with watermark 'Elephant head' (small 'Service')
1/2 a RR R  
1 a RR R  
2 a RR RR  
4 a RR RR  

On stamps with watermark 'Elephant head' (large 'Service')
1/2 a R **  
1 a R **  
2 a orange *** *  
8 a *** *  

A forged overprint:


(Forged "Service" overprint)

Official stamps, overprinted "On H.M.S."



  1/2 a blue
  1 a brown
  2 a red
  8 a red

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
On stamps with watermark 'Elephant head'
1/2 a *** *  
1 a *** *  
2 a R ***  
8 a *** ***  

I've seen the values 2 a and 8 a with "CANCELLED" overprint.

These stamps overprinted with a crown and a value in "CENTS" were used in Straits Settlements:

4 c brown
Straits Settlements stamps

Stamps with overprint "COURT FEES" and with or without "SERVICE" with or without bar are fiscal stamps:


With "I P N" overprint, used as Indian Postal Note in 1883.

 


Forged "Service." and "On H. M. S." overprints made by the forger Francois Fournier (reduced sizes).

The forger Sperati made forgeries of the unissued 2 a green stamps (two reproductions: 'A' and 'B').


Sperati blackprint 'proof' of the 2 a value.

 


I've been told that this primitive stamp is a postal forgery.


Some kind of primitive forgery?

 

1860 Queen Victoria, inscription "EAST INDIA POSTAGE"

  8 p lilac

This stamp has perforation 14. It was issued to be used on soldier letters from India to Great Britain or its colonies.

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
On bluish paper, no watermark
8 p RR RR  
On white paper, no watermark
8 p R ***  
With watermark 'Elephant head'
8 p *** ***   
Official stamp, overprinted "Service."
  8 p lilac

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
8 p RRR RR No watermark
8 p RR RR With watermark 'Elephant head'


Forgery with wrong inscription "EIGHP" and a very peculiar cancel. Next to it a very similar product from Wurttemberg.


A more sophisticated forgery. Possibly an Oneglia product? It is printed in a similar style to other Oneglia products I have seen.

 

1866 Fiscal Stamp, overprinted "POSTAGE" in green

  6 a violet

This stamp has the top and bottom cut off, therefore it is always imperforated at the top and bottom. Two types of the overprint exist: type 1 with 3 1/2 mm high overprint and type 2 with 2 1/2 mm high overprint:

Type 1 overprint: 3 1/2 mm high Type 2 overprint, 2 1/2 mm high

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
6 a RR RR Both types, overprint in green

Similar stamps were issued as official stamps:


(Reduced size, with black overprint)

The values 1/2 a, 2 a (2 different designs), 4 a and 8 a exist with overprint "SERVICE POSTAGE" or "SERVICE TWO ANNAS". These overprints are very rare:


(Images obtained from a Shreves and a Siegel auction)

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
1/2 a RR RR  
2 a RR RR Smaller sized stamp
2 a RRR RRR Larger sized stamp (as 4 a and 8 a)
4 a RRR RRR  
6 a RRR RRR  

Official 'reprints' were made in 1885. I've seen the 6 a but with a different text "SERVICE POSTAGE" in green; this reprint does not have the top and bottom cut off. I've also seen the 4 a reprint, but with a much smaller "SERVICE POSTAGE" overprint (again with top and bottom still intact). The "SERVICE TWO ANNAS" on 2 a stamp was reprinted with green color (original stamp have a black overprint). If I'm well informed the 1/2 a was also reprinted, it has a dot behind "POSTAGE" (the original stamp does not have this dot). All these reprints are very rare (RR).


Reprints, made in 1885; overprint type different and bottom and top of the stamps still intact.


Forged overprint.


Forgery of the 4 a stamp, with "FALSCH" written in green at the bottom part of the stamp (just below "ANNAS"). The face of the Queen is badly done. The perforation is printed. This is possibly a Senf forgery.


A different "SERVICE POSTAGE" overprint on a 1 a stamp, probably a forgery (image obtained from Gregory Cooklin)


Forged "POSTAGE" overprint made by the forger Francois Fournier (reduced size).

 

For more stamps issued from 1866 to 1902 click here.

Copyright by Evert Klaseboer