A Complete eBay Buyer's Guide to India Postal Stamps Pre-1947
Before India gained independence as a country and began issuing its own postal stamps in 1947, all postal stamps circulating in India were produced by the British Empire. Collecting India postal stamps pre-1947 is therefore a way to own a piece of history.
Types of old postage stamps of India pre-1947Old Indian stamps could be used for individual ground mail or air mail postage, postage due, or parcel post. Other types of Indian postage stamps for sale on eBay are booklets, blocks, covers, errors, full and miniature sheets, postal cards, proofs, and special delivery postage. You could collect all Indian postage types available for a particular year or a single type of Indian postage across all years preceding 1947. There were five eras of East India stamps issued while India was under British rule, each based on the reigning ruler at the time, each era's set bearing its own distinct colors and design features. Before the earliest British Indian stamp was issued in 1837, pre-stamp postage was used, which you can also often find for sale on eBay, including the first postage stamps of India, issued in 1852, the Scinde Dwak or red round sealing wafer. The five eras of British Indian stamps at least starting prior to 1947 are as follows:
- Victoria - From 1837 to 1901
- Edward VII - From 1902 to 1910
- George V - From 1910 to 1936
- Edward VIII - 1936
- George VI - From 1936 to 1952
If the only way to acquire a certain stamp you desire is to buy it used, then it's well worth considering making the purchase. Just be sure the condition of any used Indian stamps you're considering are suitable to you. The higher-priced Indian stamps for sale are those sold in mint condition, with no tears, bends, or marks and their original glue.
Some particularly notable East India stampsAmong the many old Indian stamps on eBay are several worth taking special note of, including the following:
- 1854 red-dyed Queen Victoria one-anna stamp
- 1942 Limbdi state Prince George eight-anna stamp
- Indian Feud State Dungarpur one-anna stamp
- Indian Feud State two-anna Chochin
- 1902 10 rupee-stamp in green and scarlet or green and carmine
- 1874 mauve nine-pies elephant head
- Alipura State two-anna revenue stamp
If you aren't sure what type of Indian postal stamps collection you want to create, or you're willing to be surprised and build it around what you get, buying an entire lot of Indian stamps is a great way to obtain affordable Indian stamps by buying a bunch at once at a discounted price.