GLOBAL EXPRESS

Monthly E-Bulletin edited and published by Mitul Kansal for Emm Kay Stamp Coinage Dom

Archive for the ‘March 2010’ Category

GLOBAL EXPRESS– Issue No. 3

Posted by MITUL KANSAL on March 7, 2010

Volume No. 1                          Issue No. 3                       March 2010

We need your letters, views, reports & articles on philatelic & numismatic activities in your area or region for publication here. You can send the same to kansalmitul@gmail.com or emmkayinternational@gmail.com and by post to –

My Contact Address- Mitul Kansal, Editor- Global Express, SRM University Hostel- “F Block”, Room No. 222, NCR Campus, SRM University, Delhi-Meerut Road, Sikrikalam, Distt. Ghaziabad, PIN-201204, U.P., INDIA

My Permanent Address- 336/14 Near Markanda Press, Shahabad Markanda, Distt. Kurukshetra, Pin 136135, Haryana, INDIA

Note:  1) We may edit & fact-check your entries for publication.

2) The bulletin will be sent to the readers only on request. Those who wish to receive it regularly please reply giving their name, postal address, and philatelic & numismatic interests with the subject “SUBSCRIBE GLOBAL EXPRESS”.

3) If you’ve found this newsletter useful, recommend it to a friend. Better still, forward a copy of this issue. Also, please mention this newsletter when contacting other collectors.

Editorial

I am here to present the new and improved issue of Global Express. From this Issue I will publish only the most interesting and necessary articles on Philately and Numismatics. All the latest news about new issues, Exhibitions, etc. will be make available on the blog of EMM KAY STAMP COINAGE DOM i.e. http://emmkaystampcoinagedom.wordpress.com. I hope you will like this issue and give me your feedback.

Wishing you all a very HAPPY HOLI !

….Mitul Kansal

Contents

  • India’s 6 Annas 8 Pies Stamp of May 1867 Used to Great Britain
  • Maritime and Overland Mail between India & England till  the End Of 19th Century
  • List of Stamps and Covers On Jainism
  • Letter Box for Indian Postal Services
  • Curtain Raiser- Part 1 & 2

India’s 6 Annas 8 Pies Stamp of May 1867 Used to Great Britain

W. Danforth Walker

Note: This article was originally published in “INDEPEX 97”- Souvenir Cum Catalouge

In May 1867 India issued a six annas eight pies stamp in distinctive design. This article will discuss the history of this stamp and its use on mail from India to Great Britain.

Why a 6 annas 8 pies India Stamp Was Needed

The most rapid route, and thus the most popular route, for mail to be carried from India to Great Britain was the land route “via Marseilles”, France. Prior to 1 June 1863, this route required postage of 6 Anna’s for a quarter ounce and 8 Anna’s for a half ounce letter. On 1 June 1863 the “via Marseilles” rate from India to Great Britain was changed to 6 annas 8 pies for up to half-ounce letter. The normal means of making this 6 annas 8 pies franking was to use three stamps, a 4 annas, 2 annas and 8 pies stamp. There were no issued 6 annas 8 pies stamp, there was no issued stamps denominated in 6 annas 8 pies and there were no issued 6 annas stamps.

Thus starting on 1 June 1863 India needed a 6 annas 8 pies stamp but did not take action to issue such a stamp until years later. As will become clear below, the demand for a 6 annas 8 pies stamp was high as the “via Marseilles” route was the most popular way for mail to travel from India to Great Britain. The alternative route, an all water route from Alexandra, Egypt to Southampton, England was slower and thus less popular even though the postage rate for a half ounce letter was 40 percent less expensive.

Printing of the 6 annas 8 pies India Stamp

The De La Rue History of British & Foreign Postage Stamps, 1855 to 1901, john Easton, 1958, pages 184-185, tells the story of the printing of this stamp. De La Rue was asked for a 6 annas 8 pies India Stamp on May 11th 1866 as follows:

“A demand having been received from India for 5,000 Sheets (320 stamps per sheet) of Postage Stamps of a new value viz., six annas and eight pies, I have to request that you will submit a design for the same at your earliest convenience. It is requested in the correspondence from India that these Stamps should be markedly different in Shape from any now in use in India, as it is intended that they should be used for Postage between India and this Country (Great Britain). With this view the government officers suggest that the Border should be longer than that of other Stamps, and the shape a long oval. The selection of the colour will be left to you.”

De la Rue was fast at getting back to Westminster officials who wrote to them concerning the 6 annas 8 pies stamp. On May 15th 1866 a design was submitted with the following comment:

“In reply we have the pleasure to submit a design which we think suitable for the purpose, and to be preferred to a long oval as suggested in the correspondence from India.

We should purpose to print the stamps in the bright mauve color, of which we enclose a specimen. We would further remark that the lettering round the stamp will be reversed, i.e. the words “East India Postage” will be placed on the top of the stamp, and the duty will be placed on the bottom of the stamp, running from left to right.”

The India government was changed £135 for the original die and plate on June 15th 1866. There were two deliveries of the stamps, first of 800,000 stamps (2,500 sheets of 320 stamps) were delivered October 6th 1866 and the second delivery of 820,480 stamps (2,564 sheets) was made on October 17th 1866.

Instead of being printed in “bright mauve” the issued color was slate. Gibbons lists the stamp as issued in May 1867 with the earliest use recorded by the author as May 9, 1867 on a cover containing a solo copy of the 6 annas 8 pies stamp from Allahabad, India to Dorset, England. The author does not know the reason why the colour was changed from the “bright mauve” proposed in the May 15th 1866 letter to the slate colour delivered in October 1866. Also the reason for the relatively long time between the delivery of the printed stamps in London by October 17th 1866 until the issue in early May 1867 is not known.

Use of the 6 annas 8 pies India Stamp to Great Britain

Via Marseilles India to Great Britain

The main demand for the 6 annas 8 pies stamp when it was introduced in May 1867 was to pay the half ounce via Marseilles rate from India to Great Britain that was introduced on June 1st 1863. This 6 annas 8 pies per half ounce rate was in use for almost five years but only during the last year of the rate was someone in India able to pay this rate by using on stamp rather than three stamps. Less than a year after the issuance of these 6 annas 8 pies stamp the half-ounce rate between India and Great Britain was raised to 8 annas 8 pies. It is interesting to note that the new via Marseilles rate of 8 annas 8 pies never had a stamp issued for this value.

Even though 1,620,480 6 annas 8 pies stamps were printed, this stamp saw very limited use. It is not uncommon even during the 11 months the 6 annas not be used on mail via Marseilles from India to Great Britain. The majority of covers in the author collection during the period May 1867 through March 31st 1868 are still franked with four annas, a two annas and an eight pies stamp combination to make the 6 annas 8 pies via Marseilles rate.

Although this article only analyzes usage of the 6 annas 8 pies stamp on mail from India to Great Britain the 6 annas 8 pies rate was not a common rate for other mail service. A check of “Overseas Letter Postage from India 1854-1876” by Martin and Blair, Robson Lowe Ltd., 1975 rate tables show very few postage rates at the 6 annas 8 pies level and very few rates that included 8 pies. This stamp was not often used for the high demand mail service it was issued for and served very few other services.

Officers Letters India to Great Britain

When the half ounce via Marseilles rate was increased from 6 annas 8 pies to 8 annas 8 pies on April 1st 1868 one other rate change to Great Britain was made. The officers Letter rate a half-ounce letter via Marseilles was increased from 4 annas to 6 annas 8 pies. Officers’ letters were endorsed by their Commanding Officer similar to Soldiers’ letters except officers in Civil Employment or on Privilege Leave were exempt from the endorsement by their Commanding Officers requirement. This special rate of officers ceased after December 31, 1869.

6 annas 8 pies of September 1867 usage on covers in the author collection:

Date Franking Comments
09MY1867 6a 8p solo Allahabad, India to Dorset England, 6a8p Via Marseilles rate
20SP1867 6a 8p solo Bombay to London
22FE1868 6a 8p solo Madras to Epping, England
24FE1868 6a 8p solo Allahabad, India to London
19OC1868 6a 8p solo Officers Letter to Scotland
12JA1869 6a 8p +4as Officers Letter +4annas Express fee for last minutes posting at Madras
24FE1869 6a 8p +2as 8a 8p via Marseilles rate after 1 AP 1868
02AP1869 6a 8p +2as 8a 8p via Marseilles rate after 1 AP 1868 to Guernsey, Channels Islands
05AP1869 6a 8p solo Officers Letter
12AP1869 6a 8p solo Officers Letter
03JU1869 6a 8p +4as Officers Letter +4as Express fee for last minute posting
03OC1869 6a 8p solo Officers letter, this special rate ceased 31 DE 1869
18FE1870 6a 8p +2as 8a 8p via Marseilles rate which was replaced on 129 OC 1870 by the via Brindisi route
17MR1870 6a 8p +2as 8a 8p via Marseilles rate
08Sp1870 6a 8p solo Via Southampton but overpaid 8 pies
01DE1870 6a 8p +4as 10a 8p via Brindisi route displayed via Marseilles on 19OC 1870

What happened to the India 6 annas 8 pies Stamps

The author does not know what happened to the unused stock of the 6 annas 8 pies stamps. One collector had the following write-up on their album page:

“The 6 annas 8 pies value continued in use until April 1st 1874. During the period 1872-1873 only 26,707 copies of this stamp were sold. Shortly after April 1st 1874 the remaining stock of this 6 annas 8 pies stamp were destroyed except 18 sheets preserved for reference copies.”

Although the above collector’s opinion on what happened to the unsold stocks of 6 annas 8 pies of May 1867 cannot be verified, it sounds logical.

Maritime and Overland Mail between India & England till the End Of 19th Century

By G.B.Pai

Note: This article was originally published in “INDEPEX 97”- Souvenir Cum Catalouge

…….Continued From Previous Issue

Overland Route

In the early years of the Century there were always complaints about the slowness of the movement of the letters and the advent of steam to power the ships in European waters only aggravated the complaints forcing the British Government to take some action at least by 1835. In that year the Government financed an expedition under Colonel Chesney, to open up a route to India by way of the river Euphrates and the Persian Gulf. The attempt was abandoned a year later but subsequently an occasion E.I.C vessel sailed up the Persian Gulf with mail for Britain by this Overland route once a month (see Fig 16).

Fig. 16

Later we have the record of Captain J.H. Johnston, who realised a cherished dream of commanding the “Enterprise” the first steamship to reach India via the Cape Egypt gave support to the Overland proposals of Waghorn and others and promoted the Suez, Alexandra and the Mediterranean, most of the European and English Mail travelled on this route, through the longer way around the Cape of Good Hope continued to be used to a decreasing extent for another decade.

With the coming of stream commercial relations with the east developed a new interest and importance, and it was the Steam Committees of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras, that gave the impetus to Overland Service from 1823 onwards. This free force of public opinion, backed by funds raised to promote the object in view, overcome all the hesitation of the political leaders and the inertia of such bodies as the Court of Directors of the East India Company and the permanent officials of the general Post Office 1830 “Hugh Lindsay”, an E.I.Co steamer steamed from Bombay to Suez in 33 days, (22 days net under steam) and the Mail reached England in 51 days.

Waghorn issued his first Prospectus and started his express service across Egypt in 1836-40 and this was the first period of “CARE of Mr. WAGHORN” letters. Some of them are illustrated below along with his picture and of his mail coaches used on his Overland service Figs. 17-19. In 1837 Waghorn succeeded in carrying mails from Bombay to London in less than 65 days. Waghorn received the appointment as Deputy Agent for East India Company in Egypt in the same year. Marseilles route was adopted by British Post office after Waghorn had proved it quicker than that from Southampton. In 1842 Waghorn received the rank of a Lieutenant in the British Navy and fulfilled a long cherished dream and in that year he advocated the Trieste route. In 1846-47 he carried out six experiment trips with Indian Mails via Trieste under authority of the British Post Office. This was also the period of his Egyptian Transit Markings.

Fig. 17                                                                                                                     Fig. 18

Fig. 19

Bombay to Suez

In 1837 the East India Company was given a contract to carry mails between India and Suez on a monthly service. Between 1838 to 1844 the E.I.C, operated the following 4 ships on a reimbursement by the government of 50,000 ponds per ship per month. Hugh Lindsay from 24.4.1838. Atlanda from 1.8.1838. Bernice from 4.7.1839 voyage commencing in April 1842 to Suez is given below as Fig.20.

Fig. 20

Suez to Alexandria

Mail was carried by camel from Suez to Cairo and thence by boat on the Nile and the Canal to Alexandra.

Alexandria to Falmouth

At first by Admiralty Packets and from 1860 P&O obtained a Contract- Alexandra to Falmouth via Malta and Gibraltar, once a month and Malta to Corfu, twice a month.

The Marseilles Route- 1 May

This route was opened under a convention with France both British and French Admiralty packets were used between Alexandra and Marseilles and between Calais and Dover, even if a war broke out except by withdrawal with formal notice.

January 1845 to August 1846 Two Mails a Month

  1. Bombay to Suez via Aden by E.I.C ships
  2. Calcutta to Suez via Madras, Pointe de Galle and Aden by P&O ship.
  3. Hong Kong via Singapore and Pending connected with above at Points de Galle by P&O ships.

September 1845 to December 1852: Three Mails a month from India

1 to 3 as above.

  1. Bombay to Aden by E.I.C Steamers. These connected at Aden with the Calcutta to Suez route.

January 1845 to December 1852 Suez to Alexandra: Twice a month

The Mail service from Bombay to Suez and from Calcutta to Suez were only the two to arrive at Suez. Carried by Camel or River and Camel as before.

September 1845 to December 1852. Alexandra to England. Three times a month.

(1) To Southampton

The mails marked “via Southampton” from Calcutta, Madras and Bombay which joined together at Suez were carried via Malta and Gibraltar to Southampton which replaced Falmouth.

(2) To Marseilles

The mails marked “via Marseilles” carried on the same boat to Suez were taken to Malta along with the Southampton mails. They were then carried from Marseilles by British of French packets. A cover from Madras via Marseilles Fig 21.

Fig. 21

(1) To Marseilles

The mails marked “via Marseilles” from Bombay to Suez were carried direct from Alexandra to Marseilles by British or French Packets.

Peninsular & Orient Shipping Company

In 1837 P&O Company obtained the contracts from General post office for conveyance of Indian Mails and return. The government overland Mail Service also started in the same year. In 1840-2 the Peninsular their Steamship Company was incorporated as the Peninsular and Oriental company and their steamers started on Suez to India route. In 1842 the P&O steamer “Hindostan” sailed for India. In 1843 “Bentinck” steamer was acquired by P&O. Below is a picture of a letter carried by S.S Hindostan Fig. 22

Fig. 22

In 1840, the P&O Steamship Company received a Royal Charter on the express conditions that the company would extend its shipping service to India within two years from this date. The first thing it did was to improve conditions there was noticed a marked increase in the number of travelers using the Overland route, about 125 persons each way, but in the year 1841, the number increased to 600 and in 1842 to well over 800. Before the present luxurious overland route was opened on the completion of the Suez canal in 1869 enabling passengers to avail themselves of the easy going sight seeing visits afforded by the various steamship services there were 3000 to 4000 camels employed to transport a single ship’s freight and the value of the goods transported was valued at pounds 40,000,000 a year. The present overland journey is like travelling in America in a Pullman car. In 1843 a newly formed lines the P&O took up the service and provided direct service between Calcutta and Suez, calling at Madras, Pointe de Galle and Aden on the way.

The illustrated London News of March 1, 1845, chronicles the arrival of the overland mail from India as under:

“The experiment of opening a communications with India twice a month has commenced. On Monday news was received by the first intermediate mails from Calcutta, but it is only eight days later that bought by the usual conveyance, which reached London at the beginning of the months. The mails was bought to Suez by the Peninsular and Oriental Company’s ship Hindostan, and arrived there on the 4th instant having left Calcutta on the 8th, Madras on 13th Ceylon on the 18th and Aden on the 28th ultimo. Great Liverpool brought the mail to Malta and from thence it was forwarded to Marseilles by the Acheron.

“It would have reached London sooner, had it not been for the bad state of the Roads in France from snow. The intelligent by this Mail, although somewhat scanty is important”

Thus by 1845 a regular mail service was established by the Overland route and letters handled by Lt. Waghorn’s agency by transmission by this route were impressed with several types of cachets on both westward and eastward mails some of which are illustrated here.

Tragic End of Lieut. Waghorn

Lt. Waghorn died on January 7, 1850s at an early age of 47 in the prime of his life old and weary by the hard and strenuous life he was forced to lead in his younger days and of a broken heart. In acknowledgement of his invaluable services, he was given the rank of a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy a grant of pounds 1,500/- and an annuity of pounds 200/- each year from the British Government and the East India Company. But his shattered constitution did not enable him to enjoy his well earned but meager awards for long due to his untimely death.

November 1850 via Trieste

Letters for and from Northern Europe marked “via Trieste” were handed over to the Austrian Post Office, at Alexandria carried to Trieste by Austrian Lloyds. Postage had to be prepaid in Alexandria whence they would be forwarded postage to pay. Payment from India to destination in Europe could not be made until 1871 Occasional references up to 1861 in the Gazettes of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras indicate that this route could be used for letters to England examples are very rare. A rare cover ‘via Trieste’ to Genoa is given in Fig. 23 below

Fig. 23

1852-54 Steamers via the Cape of Good Hope

From the General Screw Steam Navigation Company carried mails via the Cape of Good Hope to Ceylon by 21st July 1852. Their route was extended to Madras and Calcutta but this portion at least was closed on the 21st June 1854. (Calcutta Gazettes of the dates quoted.)

1869 to 1883 Trans- Egyptian Railway to Opening of Suez Canal

First section of trans-Egyptian Railway opened 1869, Suez Canal opened 1870 Mail was diverted from Marseilles to Brindisi in consequence of Franco Prussian War 1871. Mount Cenes Tunnel opened 1881. British Mail carried through Suez Canal by steamer 1883. It may not be generally known that Lieut. Waghorn was the projector of the Suez Canal and this was testified by Baron de Lesseps at a banquet in his honour in Paris in November 1884. “Great as the honour that falls on me, I would be less than a man did I take to myself the full measure of the position for a moment if I fail to mention the name of the great overland pioneer and explorer, the late Thomas Waghorn R.N, of the Naval service of Her Majesty Queen England. He it was who first conceived the idea, it was his indomitable courage and great perseverance that led me on to prove its practicability. I am pleased to have the opportunity to proclaim the noble qualities of that much underrated gentleman but he was in advance of position as the engineer of the works, have enabled me to carry them through”.

At Chatham in England at his birthplace a statue stands to the memory of the pioneer to the overland route to India and another statue is at Suez at port Suez:

“The poet’s fate is here in emblem shown

He asked for bread and he received a stone”

1st January 1858

4 mails a month went from India, but with improved intervals. Mails went from Bombay twice a month to Suez instead of Bombay to Aden Bombay mails “Via Marseilles” were sent direct from Alexandria to Marseilles instead via Malta. The Bombay mails via Southampton were detained in Egypt until the arrival of the Calcutta mails. There were two crossings monthly for each set of mails from Suez to Alexandria.

1st April 1868

Bombay became the sole port of the entry and exit of Indian Mails.

November 1869 to October 1870 Experiment use of Brindisi

The 1870 Contract made provision for the PMG London to substitute Brindisi for Marseilles on three months but not to take effect till Mount Cenes Tunnel was opened. Brindisi was however was used experimentally earlier.

The mail Agent ceased throughout the whole route.

1874 Main Postal Route in operation.

(1)   Bombay- Southampton via Aden, Suez, Malta and Gibraltar. Once a week

(2)   Alexandria- Brindisi, once a week. Bombay- Suez by steamer, Suez- Alexandria by Rail

(3)   Calcutta- Suez Madras, Galle Penang, Singapore and Hong Kong. Once every two weeks.

(4)   Bombay- Shanghai, via Galle, Penang, Singapore and Hong Kong. Once every two weeks.

(5)   Hong Kong- Yokohama once every two weeks.

A cover from Calcutta “via Brindisi” dated 10.5.1872 Fig. 24

Fig. 24

1st August 1874 Partial use of the Canal

The mails “via Southampton” were routed through the Canal.

The mails “via Brindisi” crossed Isthmus by Rail.

1st February 1880

The long sea route to Southampton was abandoned and all letters sent “via Brindisi”.

1st February 1888

Suez Canal becomes fully operational. A letter dated 15.9.1889 addressed to a passenger on S.S. Carthage of P&O Company passing through the Suez Canal Fig. 25 is given below:

Fig. 25

Notice on a service post card by the Postmaster, Tanjore, dated 2.12.1889, intimating date of arrival of the Overland Mail on 3.12.1889 Fig.26

Fig. 26

19th Century Map showing shipping routes used Geo W. Wheatley & Co

Fig. 27

LIST OF STAMPS AND COVERS ON JAINISM

( Compiled by : SUDHIR JAIN, Universal Cables Ltd., Satna(M.P.) 485 005, E-mail : mrsudhirjain@yahoo.com )

A.      STAMPS



INDIA

18.10.29        GIRNAR (ISSUED BY SAURASHTRA STATE – PART OF INDIA BEFORE INDEPENDENCE)
06.05.35        BHAGWAN SHEETALNATH JAIN TEMPLE, CALCUTTA
15.08.49        SHATRUNJAY TEMPLE, PALITANA
01.07.66        MEDIAEVAL SCULPTURE FROM PARSHWANATH JAIN TEMPLE, KHAJURAHO

30.12.72        VIKRAM AMBALAL SARABHAI  (FAMOUS JAIN ATOMIC SCIENTIST)
13.11.74        BHAGWAN MAHAVIR 2500TH NIRWAN ANNIVERSARY (PAWAPURI JAL MANDIR)
10.01.75        WORLD HINDI CONVENTION (IMAGE OF JAIN SARASWATI)
12.04.75        WORLD TELGU CONFERENCE (IMAGE OF JAIN SARASWATI)
27.07.78        KACHCHH MUSEUM (PIECE FROM OLD JAIN TEMPLE)
09.02.81        GOMMATESHWARA BAHUBALI 1000TH ANNIVERSARY, SRAVANABELGOLA
09.05.88        DR. KARMAVEER BHAURAO PATIL (JAIN SOCIAL REFORMER AND EDUCATIONIST)
24.08.91        JAIN MUNI MISHRIMALJI
20.12.94        BARODA MUSEUM – BRONZE IDOL OF BHAGWAN RISHABHNATH (SE-TENENT)
28.01.98        DR. JAGDISH CHANDRA JAIN  (FAMOUS JAIN WRITER AND EDUCATIONIST)
20.10.98        JAIN MUNI ACHARYA TULSIJI
06.03.99        SCULPTURE FROM PARSHWANTH JAIN TEMPLE, KHAJURAHO
31.12.00        JAIN RAJA BHAMASHAH
06.04.01        BHAGWAN MAHAVEER 2600TH JANMA KALYANAK
21.07.01        JAIN HISTORIAN CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA
18.11.01        JAIN FILM PRODUCER V. SHANTARAM
09.08.02        ACHARYA ANAND RISHI MAHARAJ
27.05.04        DR. INDRA CHANDRA SHASTRI
30.06.04        TERAPANTH AACHARYA BHIKSHU
23.11.04        WALCHAND HIRACHAND (FAMOUS JAIN INDUSTRIALIST)

02.12.05             JAWAHARLAL DARDA  (POLITICIAN & JOURNALIST)

08.12.08             DR. L.M. SANGHVI (EMINENT SCHOLAR)

21.02.09             JAINACHARYA VALLABH SURIJI

28.02.09             HARAKCHAND NAHTA

14.10.09             DILWARA JAIN TEMPLE

14.10.09             RANAKPUR JAIN TEMPLE

08.11.09        JAIN SCHOLAR VEERCHAND RAGHAVJI GANDHI

FOREIGN

23.08.79        EAST  GERMANY BHAGWAN MAHAVEER
06.04.06        NEPAL WORLD HINDU FEDERATION (JAIN  PRATIK)

20.01.07        CANGO WORLD RELIGION DAY (JAIN PRATIK)

B.      REGULAR PICTORIAL CANCELLATIONS

SRAVANABELGOLA (KARNATAKA) (3 Diff)    573135  -    BAHUBALI                   (From 02-11-77)
DHARAMASTHALA (KARNATAKA)                    574216  -    JAIN HOLY PLACE     (From  02-01-89)
BADAMI (KARNATAKA)                                         587201 –    JAIN CAVES                 (From 29-09-87)
PATTADAKAL (KARNATAKA)                              587221 –    JAIN TEMPLE              (From 30-09-87)
KHAJURAHO (MADHYA PRADESH)                    471606 –    JAIN TEMPLES            (from 10-06-65)
ELLORA (MAHARASHTRA) (3 different)             431102 –    JAIN CAVES (from 8.6.65/26.1.77/26.11.91)
PALITANNA (GUJARAT) (2 different)                    364270 –    JAIN TEMPLES            (From 27-02-86/03.07.92)
KARKALA (KARNATAKA)                                      574104 –    PARASNATH                (From 05-02-91)
DELWARA (RAJASTHAN) (2 different)                 313202 –    JAIN TEMPLES            (From 27-02-86/3.7.97)
KHANDGIRI (ORISSA)                                              751030  –    JAIN CAVES
PHIL. BUREAU, LUDHIANA (PUNJAB)                141001 –    BHAGWAN MAHAVEER CLOCK TOWER
PHIL. BUREAU, PATNA (BIHAR)                           800001 –    JAIN YAKSHI DIDARGANJ
GANGASHAHAR (RAJASTHAN)                            334401  -    SHAKTIPEETH ACHARYA TULSI (From 31-12-04)

RANAKPUR                                                                  306702  -    JAIN TEMPLE S           (From 12.02.05)

DILWARA, MAUNT ABU                                          307501  -    JAIN TEMPLES
C.      SPECIAL COVERS AND CANCELLATIONS

28.03.73        BHOPAL                             MAPPPEX-73 APSARA OF PARSHWANATH TEMPLE, KHAJURAHO

10.04.73        JAIPUR                                RAJPEX-73 VICTORY TOWER

15.08.73        HASSAN                              JALPEX – 73 BAHUBALI
13.11.74        PAWAPURI                        BHAGWAN MAHAVEER 2500TH ANNIVERSARY

14.06.75        BANGALORE                    KARNAPEX – 75 GOMATESHWAR

01.02.76        SATNA                                 GANDHI LENIN PHIL. EXHIBITION – COVER & CANCELLATION

BEARS SCULPTURE FROM JAIN TEMPLE KHAJURAHO

05.06.76        JUNAGARH                        SORPEX-76 GIRNAR HILL ON COVER &CANCELLATION

06.06.76        JUNAGARH                        SORPEX-76 GIRNAR HILL ON CANCELLATION
07.06.76        JUNAGARH                        SORPEX-76 GIRNAR HILL ON CANCELLATION

10.10.76        LUDHIANA                        LUPEX – 76 BHAGWAN MAHAVEER CLOCK TOWER
12.11.76        AKOLA                                AKOPEX – 76 ANCIENT JAIN TEMPLE AT SIRPUR

27.07.78        BHUJ                                    SPECIAL COVER ON KACHCHH MUSEUM STAMP

17.02.79        COCHIN                              COCHINPEX – 79 SHRI CHANDRAPRABHU JAIN TEMPLE
23.10.80        BIKANER                           GANGAPEX-80 JAIN SARASWATI IN SPECIAL CANCELLATION
26.10.80        LUDHIANA                        LUPEX – 80 BHAGWAN MAHAVEER CLOCK TOWER
15.12.80        CHITTORGARH               KIRTI STAMBH IN SPECIAL CANCILLATION

09.02.81        SHRAVANABELGOLA   1000th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

09.02.81        CALCUTTA                        BHAGWAN OMATESWARA

17.10.81        AHMEDABAD                   GUPEX-81GIRNAR HILLS
03.02.82        CALCUTTA                        PANCHAKALYANAK MOHOTSAVA
03.02.82        DHARMASTHALA          PRATISTHAPAN MAHOTSAVA OF BHAGWAN BAHUBALI (2 Covers)
05.03.84        KHAJURAHO                    SCULPTURE OF ADINATH TEMPLE KHAJURAHO IN CANCELLATION

05.08.84        BOMBAY                            150th ANNIVERSARY OF SHRI ANANTNATHJI   JAIN TEMPLE
28.01.85        DEOGHAR                          PANCHKALYANAK MAHOTSAV
08.02.85        NEW DELHI                       3rd   INTERNATIONAL JAIN CONFERENCE
12.04.86        RAJGIR                               BHAGWAN MAHAVEER PRATHAM DESHNA SAMARAK
06.11.86        RAJGIR                               GAUTAM GANDHAR 2500th NIRVAN MAHOTSAVA
27.12.86        PATNA                                 BIPEX-86 MAHAVEER PRATHAM DESHNA SAMARAK, RAJGIR
29.01.88        AURANGABAD                 PANCHKALYANAK PRATISTHA
26.03.88        CALCUTTA                        SHRI S.S. JAIN   SABHA DIAMOND JUBILEE
28.03.88        CALCUTTA                        SHRI S.S. JAIN   SABHA DIAMOND JUBILEE
22.10.88        REWA                                  REWAPEX – 82  VEGETARIAN  ALWAYS  HAPPY
11.12.88        ARRAH                               PANCHAKALYANAK  PRATISTHA
14.02.89        CALCUTTA                        PANCHAKALYANAK  -  GARBHA KALYANAK
15.02.89        CALCUTTA                        PANCHAKALYANAK  -  JANMA KALYANAK
16.02.89        CALCUTTA                        PANCHAKALYANAK  -  TAPA KALYANAK

17.02.89        CALCUTTA                        PANCHAKALYANAK  -  GYAN KALYANAK
18.02.89        CALCUTTA                        PANCHAKALYANAK  -  MOKSHA KALYANAK
11.01.90        MANGALORE                   DHARMASTHALA MANJAYYA HEGGADE ART EXHIBITION / MAHAVIR
12.02.92        CALCUTTA                        PANCHAKALYANAK  -  GARBHA KALYANAK
13.02.92        CALCUTTA                        PANCHAKALYANAK  -  JANMA KALYANAK
14.02.92        CALCUTTA                        PANCHAKALYANAK  -  TAPA KALYANAK
15.02.92        CALCUTTA                        PANCHAKALYANAK  -  GYAN KALYANAK
16.02.92        CALCUTTA                        PANCHAKALYANAK  -  MOKSHA KALAYANAK
17.12.94        CALCUTTA                        JAINPEX – 94  DIAMOND JUBILEE OF SHREE JAIN VIDHYALAYA

24.04.96        KATHMANDU                  INAUGURATION OF JAIN TEMPLE

03.10.98          RAJGIR                                 VEERAYATAN SILVER JUBILEE YEAR

04.10.98        RAJGIR                               VEERAYATAN

05.10.98        RAJGIR                               RASTRA SANT UPADHYAYA SRI AMAR MUNI MAHARAJ
25.12.98        CHENNAI                           JAIN FAIR
28.09.99        ISARI                                   125th ANNIVERSARY OF GANESH VARNI JI
10.02.00        VENUR                                BHAGWAN BAHUBALI MASTAKABHISHEKA
08.04.00        UJIRE                                   FELICITATION TO PADMABHUSHAN DR. D. VEERENDRA  HEGGADE
01.08.00        AHMAD NAGAR              BIRTH CENTENARY OF ACHARYA ANAND RISHIJI MAHARAJ
22.02.01        KUNDALPUR                    BHAGWAN  AADINATH  MAHAMASTAKABHISHEKA

30.10.01        VAISHALI                          RELIGIOUS FUNCTION AT JAIN TEMPLE

15.11.01        PAVAPURI                         MAHAVIR, NIRVAN DAY SPECIAL POOJA
26.11.01        AJMER                                AJAYMERUPEX-2001 – JAIN KIRTI STAMBH, CHITTIRGARH
30.11.01        BHINASAR                        125TH BIRTH ANNIV. OF ACHARYA JAWAHARLALJI MAHARAJ
08.12.01        NEW DELHI                       70TH BIRTH ANNIV. OF OSHO (JAIN PHILOSOPHER RAJNEESH)
10.02.02        MALPURA                          ANJANSALAKA & DEEKSHA SAMAROH
16.02.02        KARKALA                         MAHAMASTAKABHISHEKA OF BHAGWAN BAHUBALI
02.03.02        PATNA                                 SEMINAR ON MAHAVEER IN ART & LITERATURE
25.04.02        AJMER                                26OOTH JANMA KALYANAK OF BHAGWAN MAHAVEER
15.08.02        MANGALORE                   SDM COLLEGE OF B.M. (OWNED BY JAIN HEAD OF DHARMSTHALA)
29.08.02        MOODBIDRI                     JAIN BHATTARAK PATTABHISHEK UTSAVA
02.10.02        PATNA                                 SHRIMAD RAJCHANDRAJI WITH GANDHIJI
24.12.02        PATNA                                 TTM-2002 BHAGWAN MAHAVEER & BUDDHA
09.02.03        SADLAGA                           PANCHKALAYANAK PRATISHTHA MAHOTSAVA
11.02.03        KOLKATA                          1st DEATH ANNI. OF JAIN INDOLOGIST BHANWAR LAL NAHTA
22.02.03        VILHOLI-NASIK              SHRI DHARMACHAKRA PRABHAV TIRTHA ANJANSALAKA
15.04.03        PATNA                                 BHAGWAN MAHAVEER JAYANTI
15.05.03        BIKANER                           JASKARAN BOTHRA ( JAIN SOCIAL WORKER )

24.08.03        KANTHAVARA                JAIN SOCIAL WORKER & WRITER K.B. JINRAJ HEGDE

07.10.03        INDORE                              MISHRILAL GANGWAL BIRTH CENTENARY

11.10.03        JAIPUR                                VIRATNAGAR JAIN TEMPLE ON SPL. COVER OF RAJPEX 2003
06.11.03        AMARKANTAK               INSTALLATION OF HEAVIEST JAIN METALIC STATUE OF THE  WORLD
24.01.04        BILASPUR                          JINENDRA PANCHKALYANAK & GAJRATH MAHOTSAVA
29.03.04        INDORE                              MAHAPRAGYAPEX-2004 / 200TH ANNI. OF TERAPANTH ACHARYA BHIKSHU
02.10.04        NIAGRA (CANADA)        INAUGURATION OF JAIN TEMPLE

02.10.04        AHMEDABAD                   DAKBHARTI CANCELLATION – “AHIMSA PARMO DHARMAH”.

04.11.04        VAISHALI                          FOUNDATION OF BHAGWAN MAHAVIR TEMPLE

31.12.04        GANGASHAHAR              ACHARYA TULSI SHAKTIPEETH

08.01.05        MUMBAI                            JAIN DOCTORS CONFERENCE

28.01.05        SATNA                                 SATNAPEX-2005, 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF JAIN TEMPLE

18.02.05        GADAG                                JAIN ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL CENTENARY

21.03.05        MUMBAI                            “JIYO AUR JINEDO”  IN SPL. CANCELLATION

22.04.05        JAIPUR                                MAHAVIR JAYANTI

04.11.05        HAJARIBAG                      CENTENARY OF PARSHWANATH TEMPLE

08.02.06        SRAVANBELGOLA         MAHAMASTAKABHISHEK CEREMANY           (3 DIFFERENT)

11.02.06             UDUPI                                  KARAVALI PEX-2006 (JAIN TEMPLE IN CANCELLATION)

28.01.07        DHARMASTHALA          BHAGWAN BAHUBALI MAHMASTAKABHISHEK

29.01.07        BIKANER                           JAIN PERSONALITY HIRALAL RAMPURIA

04.03.07             NASIK                                 JAIN TIRTH GAJPANTHA JI

04.05.07        NEW DELHI                       JAIN PERSONALITY DASHRATHMAL SINGHAVI BIRTH CENTENARY

25.09.07        CHENNAI                           ACHARYA JAIMALJEE’S 300TH BIRTHDAY

02.10.07             AHMEDABAD                   INTERNATIONAL DAY ON NON-VIOLENCE

02.10.07       GWALIOR                            WORLD NON-VIOLENCE DAY

02.10.07        LUCKNOW                         AHIMSAPEX-2007

21.10.07                JAIPUR                                ARYIKA SUPARSHVAMATI MATAJI GOLDEN DEEKSHA CELEBRATION

10.02.08             KOLKATA                          80 YRS. OF SHREE SWETAMBER STHANAKVASI JAINSABHA

29.02.08        DAR ES SALAM                (TANZANIA) EXHIBITION ON STAMPS GANDHI & JAINSABHA

23.08.08        KISHANGARH                  MAHASATI UMRAO KANWAR JI MAHARAJ SAA “ARCHNA”

21.08.09        BILASPUR                          DACK TICKET MILAN COVER ON NON-VIOLENCE

02.10.09        CHENNAI                           SPECIAL COVER ON NON-VIOLENCE

02.10.09        VADODARA                       SPECIAL COVER ON NON-VIOLENCE

12.10.09        LUCKNOW                         SPECIAL COVER DURING AHIMSAPEX ON NON-VIOLENCE

09.01.10        AHMEDABAD                   NATIONAL CONVENTION OF DIGAMBER JAIN MAHASAMITI

16.01.10        SATNA                                 SHRIMAJJINENDRA PANCHKALYANAK & GAJRATH MAHOTSAVA

D.           ONLY COVERS ON JAINISM BUT NOT CANCELLATION

1919               MUMBAI                            BAZAAR POSTCARD WITH PHOTO OF JAIN MANADALACHARYA

1919               MUMBAI                            KAMALSURISHAWAR JI MAHARAJ (Gujrati)

KAMALSURISHAWAR JI MAHARAJ (Hindi)

1970               AHMEDABAD                   PRINTING ON REGULAR P.O.  POST CARD BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF SHRI VIJAY VALLABH SURISHWARJI
01.01.75        BANGALORE                    PHILA FESTIVAL COVER DEPICT PALITANA JAIN TEMPLE STAMP
19.09.76        AMRITSAR                        AMPEX – 76 ANCIENT JAIN SCULPTURE
26.12.76        BHAVNAGAR                   BHAVPEX-76 COVER SHOWING PALITANA JAIN TEMPLE

01.10.78        FATEHGARH                    KAMPIL MAHOTSAVA SWETAMBER JAIN VIMALNATH MANDIR KAMPIL

02.10.78        FATEHGARH                    KAMPIL MAHOTSAVA DIGAMBER JAIN VIMALNATH MANDIR KAMPIL
31.12.78        SANGRUR                          SANPEX – 78 JAIN DHARMSHALA
08.02.79        BARODA                             GUJPEX – 79 JAIN DHARMSHALA

09.02.79        JAMSHEDPUR                  BIPEX-79 JAL MANDIR PAWAPURI
07.02.82        PATNA                                 BIPEX-82 PARASNATH HILLS
25.03.82        JAIPUR                                JAIPEX-82 DILWARA JAIN TEMPLE, MOUNT ABU
26.03.82        JAIPUR                                JAIPEX-82 RANAKPUR JAIN TEMPLE, RANAKPUR

10.12.83        SATNA                                 CITPEX- 83 SIMBOL HAVING   SCULPTURE OF JAIN TEMPLE KHAJURAHO

23.12.84        BOMBAY                            STAMCO 84 COVER SHOWING KACHCHH MUSEUM STAMP

28.11.86        CUTTACK                          ROTARPEX-86 UDAIGIRI JAIN CHAITYA
21.03.87        BOMBAY                            STAMPCO-87 COVER SHOWING KACHHCH MUSEUM STAMP

17.06.89        KANPUR                             KALIKAL SARVAGYA HEMCHANDRACHARYA
25.01.92        BOMBAY                            STAMCO – 92 COVER SHOWING KACHHCH MUSEUM STAMP
16 to 19.11.94 PATNA                                 BIPEX – 94 JAIN DHARMCHAKRA ON COVER
07  to 09.01.00   BANGALORE               KARNAPEX-2000 GOMATESHWARA
14.09.00        PALANPUR                        IDOL OF PRALHAN DEV IN JAIN TEMPLE, PALANDEV
06.10.01        REWA                                  CITPEX-2001 PRESERVE WILD LIFE SLOGAN ON COVER
06.10.01        JALANDHAR                     STAMPEX-23 AHIMSA PARMO DHARMAH SLOGAN ON COVER

02.11.01        JABALPUR                         DAYODAY TIRTH

20.01.02        KOLKATA                          DOBERLANE MUSIC CONF. (DESIGN FROM JAIN SACRED BOOK KALPASUTRA)
15.01.03        MANGALORE                   MANGALAPEX-2003 JAIN QUEEN RANI ABBAKKA DEVI

19.03.04        PATNA                                 MAHAVEER CANCER INSTITUTE

29.05.04        MOUNT ABU                     ACHALGARH JAIN TEMPLE
01.11.04        GWALIOR                          INTACH – IDOL OF PARSHWANATH ON COVER

24.12.06        BANGALORE                    KARPHILEX-2006 (GOMMATESHWAR BAHUBALI ON COVER)

23.11.07        PATNA                                 BIPEX-07 (BHAGWAN MAHAVIR ON COVER) INT. DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE

E.      SPECIAL SLOGAN AND METER CANCELLATIONS

OCT. 1956    BOMBAY                            PROTECT WILED LIFE

24.01.1965    BANGALORE                    ANIMAL WELFARE WEEK “BE KIND TO ANIMALS”

18.11.1967    NEW DELHI                       XIX WORLD VEGITERIAN CONGRESS 1967

15.11.1969    NEW DELHI                       ANIMAL WELFARE WEEK “BE KIND TO ANIMALS’

19.01.1970    MADRAS                            BE KIND TO ANIMALS – ANIMAL WELFARE WEEK

15.01.1971    TRIVANDRUM                 ANIMAL WELFARE WEEK -”BE KIND TO ANIMALS”

06.05.1975    OOTACAMUND                PRESERVE WILD LIFE

24.01.1976    DHIKALA                           SAVE YOUR HERITAGE, PRESERVE WILD LIFE

13.12.1977    NEW DELHI                       ANIMAL WELFARE WEEK -”BE KIND TO ANIMALS”

15.12.1978    MADRAS                            MADRAS SPCA -  “BE KIND TO ALL LIVING BEINGS”

06.10.1979    HYDERABAD                    PRESERVE WILD LIFE – YOUR NATIONAL HERITAGE

24.11.1979    BANGALORE                    BE KIND TO ANIMALS

10.03.1980    BANGALORE                    ANIMAL SERVE MAN VERY WELL. BEKIND TO THEM

04.10.1980    HYDERABAD                    CONSERVE NATIONAL – ENSURE YOUR FUTURE

06.10.1980    CUTTAK                             WILD LIFE WEEK 1980

02.11.1980    JAIPUR                                SAVE BUSTERED

03.11.1980    JAIPUR                                PRESERVE WILD LIFE

26.02.1981    NEW DELHI                       PRESERVE WILD LIFE

28.02.1981    NEW DELHI                       PRESERVE WILD LIFE

01.10.1981    CALCUTTA                        PRESERVE WILD LIFE

01.10.1981    AHMEDABAD                   PRESERVE WILD LIFE

01.10.1981    MADRAS                            PRESERVE WILD LIFE

1981               SRAVANABELGOLA      1000th ANNIVERSARY “LIVE AND LET LIVE”

1984               NAIROBI (KENYA)          OPENING OF JAIN TEMPLE

04.11.1987    BHILAI                               BHILPEX – 87 SPECIAL CANCELLATION – “HAMARE VANYA MITRA”

13.01.2007    AJMER                                RAJPEX-2007  “CONSERVE WILD LIFE”

E.                        REGULAR METER CANCELLATIONS

DHARMASTHALA                     –            SRIKSHETRA OFFICE
NEW DELHI                                 –            KUND KUND BHARTI SANSTHAN (2 different)
JAIPUR                                           –            TODARMAL SMARAK SANSTHAN
ALLAHABAD                               –            JAIN BALADARSH
DELHI                                            –            J.M.JAINA & BROS.
SRAVANBELGOLA                    –            S.D.J.M.I.M. COMMITTEE (LIVING BEINGS HELP ONE ANOTHER)
JALGAON                                      –            JAINS INDUSTRIAL GROUP
JAIPUR                                           –            JAIN VIDHYA SANSTHAN
LADNU                                           –            JAIN VISHWA BHARTI

CHENNAI                                      -            SANGHVI TRUST (JAIN CHARITY TRUST)

NEW DELHI                                 -            BHARTIYA JNANPITH

POONA                                           -            HOUSE OF KEYDEES (JAINM JAYATI SHASANAM)

UDAIPUR                                      -            NARAYAN SEVA SANTHAN- “NARAYAN MAHAVIR PARIVAR”

JAIPUR                                           -            JINWANI MAGAZINE- “GURU HASTI KE DO FARMAN”

SRAVANABELGOLA                 -            (NEW) AHIMSA SE SUKH-TYAG SE SHANTI

LUCKNOW                                   -            JAIN GAZZATE
G.      MAXIM CARD

27.07.78          BHUJ                                    –         AIRAVAT KACHCHH MUSEUM

09.02.81          PUNE                                    -         GOMATHESHWARA
09.02.81          CHANDIGARH                   –         GOMMATESHWARA
20.10.98          AHMEDABAD                    –         ACHARYA TULSIJI

06.04.01          NASIK                                  -         2600TH MAHAVIR NIRVAN KALYANAK

06.04.01          HYDERABAD                     -         2600TH MAHAVIR NIRVAN KALYANAK

09.08.02          NASIK                                  -         ANAND RISHI MAHARAJ

30.06.04          GANGASHAHAR               -         AACHARYA BHIKSHU

02.12.05          AJMER                                 -         JAWAHARLAL DARDA


H.      NAME OF POST OFFICES

-                 JAIN GURUKUL, AJMER                              RAJASTHAN

583101           JAIN  CLOTH  MARKET, BELLARY                          KARNATAKA
416110          BAHUBALI KUMBHOJ, KOLHAPUR                         MAHARASHTRA
144001          CHOWK JAIN MANDIR,JALANDHAR                       PUNJAB
321401          BAYANA JAIN GALLI, BHARATPUR                         RAJSTHAN
125021          BHAYANI JAIN CHOWK, BHIVAM                           HARIYANA
201303          JAIN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, GHAZIABAD              U.P.
802231          H.D.JAIN COLLEGE, ARRAH H.O.                              BIHAR
580028          MAHAVEER GALLI, HUBLI                                         KARNATAKA
322220          SHREE MAHAVEERJEE                                                 RAJSTHAN
825329          SHIKHARJEE PARASNATH, GIRIDIH                      BIHAR
462016           MAHAVEER NAGAR, BHOPAL                                  M.P. (NOW CLOSED)
306401           MAHAVEER UDYOG NAGAR, PALI                          RAJASTHAN
416416          MAHAVEER NAGARY, SANGLI                                  MAHARASHTRA
741127          BIRNAGAR                                                                         WEST BENGAL
713101          BURDWAN                                                                         WEST BENGAL
-                  BADA PADAMPURA                                                        RAJASTHAN
363030          WADHWAN CITY                                                             GUJRAT
250404          DIG JAIN MANDIR, HASTINAPUR                             U.P.

313802          RISHABH DEO (UDAIPUR)                                           RAJASTHAN

-                   MAHAVIRNAGAR,KOTA                                              RAJASTHAN
I.       POSTAL STATIONERY AND OTHER ITEMS

POSTCARD OF 3 PIES ISSUED BY SAURASHTRA STATE – GIRNAR HILLS
PROOF OF DELIVERY CARD OF EMS SPEED POST WITH PHOTO OF BAHUBALI STATUE, DHARMASTHALA
INTIMATION CARD OF EMS SPEED POST WITH PHOTO OF TRIBHUVAN CHUDAMANI JAIN TEMPLE, MOODBIDRI
INLAND LETTER WITH ELLORA CAVES DESIGN ISSUED ON 01-10-01

INLAND LETTER WITH PATTADAKAL TEMPLE

MEGHDOOT POST CARD BEARING “JIYO AUR JINEDO”

Letter Box for Indian Postal Services

© 2007 Industrial Design Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay

Introduction

There is a lack of well designed products in the public domain due to the difficulty in tendering process in the Government Sector. Unfortunately, new technology based products need investments in tooling and development, which do not figure in the method of operation for purchase in the Government Sector. The attempt of the project is to provide well designed products in the public domain. Having maintenance-free letterboxes was the long time requirement by the Indian post and the initiative was taken up by Prof. Chakravarthy as an idea to implementation project. The brief given by India Post was to design a maintenance free letterbox, justifiably so, since the existing letter boxes which are made of mild steel were damaged easily and rusted rapidly. As a result the postal department spent a lot of effort and money in painting, repairing and maintaining them.

Design Process

A study conducted prior to designing the letter box among postal staff and public to obtain feedback on the difficulties they faced while using the box as also the additional

features they would like to have to make it more user-friendly.

Idea sketching and concepts

The user insights were converted into idea sketches wherein the core issues regarding seepage of rainwater, rusting of letterboxes and ease of collection of letters were addressed. The ideas were clustered into groups and in line with the requirement of maintenance free letterbox, the idea clusters were based on the materials used for manufacture.

Concept options

Evaluation was conducted on the following three concept options.

Concept A:

Full letterbox in plastic (Fig. A)

Concept B:

Full letterbox in sheet metal (Fig. B)

Concept C:


Main body in Stainless steel and top box in plastic. (Fig. C)

Final concept

Concept C was chosen as the best option and the advantages are illustrated in the following sections. After further refinements using CAD and prototyping, the final design was released for manufacture.

New letter box features

A futuristic elegant letter box made of stainless steel body has been designed with an attractive red beak like top with an aperture for the letters to be dropped. It also has space at the bottom to enable user to rest the letter and push it inside. The letter box, with an increased capacity due to its square cross-section can be mounted quickly on foundation bolts placed in advance in concrete. While the top cover enveloping the body on all the sides prevented ingress of rainwater, the slopes on the top of the box drains out the rainwater. It is mounted on a base, so that the overhang can be used by the postman to place his bag and collect the letters easily. A wide opening to accommodate large envelopes, simple time slider, flat top surface which can be used for writing, common key to open all letter boxes in one region are some of the additional features.

Advantages to India Post

  • Projects a strong retail visual identity for India Post and enhances its image.
  • Letter box’s modern and elegant look will encourage industries to advertise on them and generates revenue for India Post.
  • Maintenance free.
  • Longer lifespan – will last for over 20 years, five times the life of present boxes.
  • Easy for postmen to collect letters.
  • Easy to install.
  • Common lock for all letter boxes in one region.

User-friendly Features:

• Easy to post letters.

• Convenient to post large envelopes.

• Can use the top surface for writing.

Manufacturing

The letter boxes were manufactured using:

  • High-end CNC machines to ensure excellent surfaces & high quality.
  • High quality brush finished stainless steel from M/s. Jindal Stainless Ltd., for long lasting finish and durability of letter box body.
  • Engineering plastics from GE plastics for letter box top to provide toughness and strength.
  • Rust proof locks from Godrej for long and durable use.

Costs and revenue

The cost of manufacturing the box is relatively higher than the present mild steel letter box. But the new stainless steel boxes will last longer and the postal authorities will save on the replacement costs as it will need no maintenance. The ample space on the sides can be used for commercials and the advertising revenue thus generated will also offset the higher cost. Prof. Chakravarthy funded the pilot project up to the prototype stage and the postal authorities provided the manufacturing cost.

Implementation

India Post approved the design and placed a pilot order with IIT for manufacture of 200 letter boxes, which are ready for installation now. The new letter box was launched on 18th

October 2005 at Le Meridien, Delhi. The 30 test letter boxes installed earlier in Mumbai,

Delhi, Chennai and Patna have been a success as evinced by the feedback received by India Post’s corporate communication group.

Recognition

The letter box has won a “special mention” at the stainless innovation awards 2007 presented by Jindal Stainless Ltd. The recognition has come for the innovative use of stainless steel in product design.

Packaging and transportation

When the letterbox is dismantled it is designed in such a way that the base of the letterbox enters the main body and the top fits inside as shown in the image on the left. This reduces the volume of the letterbox, thus reducing the cost of transportation. This also helps in protecting the plastic top during transit.

Future Plans

India Post now plans to replace the old letter boxes with the new ones wherever necessary. Apart from creating a new corporate identity for the India Post and generating ad revenue it will serve as an icon signifying the changes that are taking place at India Post. It will represent the department’s efforts to reinvent itself with many upgraded services as also new innovative ones like e-post, e-bill post, greeting post, international money transfer, instant money order, speed post passport service etc.

Promotion

  • Popularise the new letter box, its unique features and what it signifies among the public
  • Promote the letter box among the corporates as a new advertising medium Seeing is believing. Though photographs, brochures and pamphlets can create awareness nothing can equal the impact of a product’s physical presence. Hence in order to create a lasting impression on our targets – public and advertisers – they must be exposed to the product directly and constantly. Since carrying the actual letter boxes or bringing the target audience to the letter box is a difficult task we should create handy miniatures of the letter box and distribute them. The mini letter boxes can be made of plastic but with the same visual effects and features.

Piggy Bank

These letter box replicas with a opening can also ideally double as a piggy bank. By installing a detachable bottom to facilitate removal of coins these boxes can be easily converted into a coin bank. And they can be sold at a reasonable price at post offices as an endeavour to promote savings among children.

Curtain Raiser………… Part ….. 1

By Sreejesh Krishnan

INDIPEX 2011, India International Philatelic Exhibition from 12th to 18th Feb 2011  at Pragati Maidan , New Delhi.

An exhibition is an organized display of works of art, science and Industry for the purpose of simulating public interest and illustrating the progress and accomplishments of one or a wide variety of productive activities. With the expansion of the hobby, the need for exploring individual collections by Stamp collectors was also strongly felt.  Then started Philatelic Exhibitions. The first International Exhibition was however, held on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the first postage stamp in London.

India organized its first International Exhibition in 1954 on the occasion of India’s first postage stamp.  Since then a number of Philatelic Exhibitions were held by various organizations.  International, Asian Countries, National, State level, District level exhibitions also held.

India International Philatelic Exhibition (INDIPEX 1973) was held in ‘Hall of Nations’ (Pragati Maidan), New Delhi, from 14th to 23rd November, 1973.

A set of 10 Special covers and one Balloon cover was released during the exhibition. Each day was marked as a special Day with marking with special cancellations.

    14-11-1973 :    Cover Design  :  Hall of Nations, New Delhi.

    Cachet :  Children’s Day

      15-11-1973 :    Cover Design   :  Sanchi Stupa Gate

      Cachet :  Promotion Day

        16-11-1973 :    Cover Design   :  Sanchi Stupa Gate

        Cachet :  Air Mail Day

          17-11-1973 :    Cover Design   :  Sanchi Stupa Gate

          Cachet   :  Stamp Designers Day

            18-11-1973 :    Cover Design   :  Sanchi Stupa Gate

            Cachet :  Thematic Day

              19-11-1973 :    Cover Design   :  Sanchi Stupa Gate

              Cachet :  Dealers’ Day

                20-11-1973 :    Cover Design   :  Sanchi Stupa Gate

                Cachet :  International Day

                  21-11-1973 :    Cover Design   :  Sanchi Stupa Gate

                  Cachet :  Post Office Day

                    22-11-1973 :    Cover Design   :  Sanchi Stupa Gate

                    Cachet  :  Awards Day

                      23-11-1973 :    Cover Design   :  Sanchi Stupa Gate

                      Cachet  :  Au Revoir

                      Other materials


                      16-11-1973 :    Official Cover issued by Airmail Society of India

                      :      Publicity Card —– duly cancelled

                      :    Invitation Notice with ticket

                      Curtain Raiser………… Part ….. 2

                      -By Sreejesh Krishnan

                      INDIPEX 2011, India International Philatelic Exhibition from 12th to 18th Feb 2011 at Pragati Maidan , New Delhi.

                      Third India International Philatelic Exhibition (INDIA 80) was held in ‘Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from 25th January 1980 to 3rd February 1980.  The Posts and Telegraphs Department (now India Post) has issued a set of 10 Commemorating Special stamps on India International Stamp Exhibition (INDIA 80). The first two stamps in the series are INDIA-80 logo and the Centenary of Postcard issued on 2nd July, 1979.  The next set of 4 stamps, Air Mail 1979 issued on 15-10-1979, shows carriage of mails by air depicts the De Havilland Puss Moth in flight, Chetak helicopter against a background of snow-capped peaks, mail being loaded into a Boeing–737 jet aircraft, Boeing–747 aircraft of the Air India cruising high above the mountains.  The next set of 4 stamps issued on 25th January, 1980, on Inaugural Day  of the Exhibition, which includes Army Postal Service, Money order, Copper Ticket and Sir Rowland Hill. First Day cover illustration of inaugural Day was Han-Driven Transfer Press, Type of Litho Press used for printing of first Indian Postage Stamps in 1854 under the supervision of Henry Thuillier(Inset) then Deputy Surveyor General of India at Calcutta. First Booklet on stamps, pictorial post cards, and postal stationery are also released during the exhibition.

                      One Army Postal Service cover and three different designs of Special covers issued the entire ten days of Exhibition.  Cover illustrations are Camel Post somewhere in Rajasthan desert, India used Abroad: A collage of stamps and cancellations, Mail Runner (Circa 1933) somewhere in the Himalayan Region. Each day was marked as a special Day with marking with special cancellations.

                      25-1-1980 – Cancellation  –     Inaugural Day  -  Hall of Nations.

                      26-1-1980 -                                         India Day – Rashtrapathi Bhawan.

                      27-1-1980 -                             Philatelic Research Day.

                      28-1-1980 -                             Youth Philatelists Day.

                      29-1-1980 -                             P.C.I. Day.

                      30-1-1980 -                             P & T Day.

                      31-1-1980 -                             Philately Promotion Day.

                      01-2-1980 -                             Army Postal Service Day.

                      02-2-1980 –                             Awards Day.

                      03-2-1980 –                             Thematics Day.

                      India 80 – Booklet.  The first booklet issued by India post.  It includes block of 4 of all 10 stamps issued in connection with India 80.

                      VIP Special folder – India 80 – Includes Last set of 4 stamps duly cancelled.

                      Posted in March 2010 | Leave a Comment »

                       
                      Follow

                      Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

                      Join 50 other followers