|
 What
makes Philately a special hobby for me ?
Philately is a delightful hobby that sharpens and
satisfies your aesthetic tastes. While expanding your
knowledge of and interaction with the world you live in,
you get to know interesting details of politics, history
, prominent personalities, national and international
events, geography, flora and fauna, agriculture,
science, monuments, soldiers, warriors,
scientists, arms and ammunition, modes of transport
etc. This process of learning becomes more
delightful through visuals and brief write-ups. In
addition, philately cultivates a meticulous and focused
attention to detail. It also helps
you to make friends across boundaries and age limits.
What
can I collect ?
Both mint - stamps (unused stamps) and
used stamps can be collected. These can be
collected year-wise , nation-wise or theme-wise.
To make this easier and more attractive to beginners,
philatelists generally advise you to collect
stamps according to a selection of your
choice called a Thematic Collection. Themes may be
flowers, birds, animals, architecture, railways,
monuments, Red Cross etc... Definitive stamps and
stationery can also be collected as a theme. The
bottom line is that the collection unfolds various
aspects of a theme like a story.
Types
of Stamps
There are commemorative and definitive
stamps. Commemorative stamps are issued, as the name
suggests, to commemorate important events, prominent
personalities in various fields, aspects of nature,
beautiful or rare flora and fauna, environmental
issues, agricultural activities, national/international
issues, games etc. These stamps are only
available at Philatelic Bureaux and counters or under
the Philatelic Deposit Account Scheme. They are
printed in limited quantities.
Definitive stamps on the other hand, are used
for day - to - day postal mailing purposes and
are available in various ascending denominations from 20
paisa onwards
at all postal counters.
How
do I collect used stamps ?
Do not throw away letters that you receive. You can
collect used up stamps through them. These can be
detached delicately from the postal articles. Rinse
in a shallow dish of water, using your hands or a
soft brush. Carefully dry them in a dark place
as the ultra violet rays of sunlight can damage the
colours. It is also valuable to retain stamps
along with the envelopes on which they are pasted as
this authenticates their
use.
Where
can I get stamps ?
Mint stamps are available at Philatelic Bureaux
and Counters in the designated post offices, details
of which will be available at your nearest Head Post
Office. You may like to get. in touch with local
philatelists who can perhaps guide your
interest. Make pen - friends both in the country and
abroad -you will be surprised at the number of people
who share your interest.
How
can I get and use albums ?
Albums are available at leading Book and Stationery
stores and with philatelists. Pasting stamps
ruins them. Use paper hinges or "havids" to place them
in a album. Plastic strip albums are now available and
are ideal to use for beginners. Handle stamps with
pincers to avoid smudging or damaging them in any way
with your
fingers.
What
is the Philatelic material available at Philatelic
Bureaux ?
Philatelic material includes -
 Mint
stamps (unused stamps)
First Day Covers (FDCs, which are issued with every
commemorative stamp )
Brochure (Information sheet accompanying each
commemorative stamp )
Collectors' Packs, year-wise
Miniature/Souvenir sheets which are sometime issued with
Commemorative stamps.
Catalogue of Postage Stamps of India since 1947
What
is a Philatelic Bureau, a Philatelic Counter and an
authorised
office?
Philatelic Bureaux function in 59 Head Post Offices at
Circle Head Offices or in major district
towns.
-They carry out sale of philatelic items to
individuals, dependent counters and authorised
Post offices.
-Philatelic Deposit Accounts can be opened at these
Bureaus.
-Philatelic counters supply all philatelic items but
are not authorised to issue the Special
Cancellation that accompanies each commemorative stamp.
-They provide a standard "First Day of Issue"
cancellation on first day cover. Authorised offices
only sell commemorative/special stamps, blank first day
covers and brochures.
Philatelic
News Letters
Please write to
tilak@indiapost.gov.in
Catalogue
of Indian Postage Stamps
Periodically a catalogue of Indian Postage
Stamps from 1947 onwards is updated and is
made available for sale from the Philatelic
Bureaux. If you need it from abroad, please contact
the Director, Mumbai GPO, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Contacting
Philatelists
Many queries are received from beginners
particularly, seeking guidance for starting a
collection of postage stamps. You may wish to
obtain information or consult the Philatelic
Congress of India at
sahadevas@yahoo.com.The
Department of Posts is not, however, responsible
for the information etc. supplied by the Philatelic
Congress of India as the Department does not handle
the secondary market in Philately.
Publication
A philatelic publication, titled "India's Freedom
Struggle through India Postage Stamps" brought out by
the Department of Posts, India, in Hindi and English is
now available for sale at the Philatelic Bureaux
for INR 500/- with 40% discount. However, packing and
forwarding charges will be paid in advance with the cost
of the Book by the purchaser. Charges
payable within India on account of forwarding by
registered letters are INR 220/- and by registered
parcels are INR 60/- .The net amount may be
remitted by Money Order or demand draft ( not
cheque) after deducting the admissible discount and
adding the packing and forwarding charges. For
registered letters, therefore, the total amount is
INR 520/- and for registered parcel INR 360/-.
For over - seas orders, the net amount of
INR 830/- for countries falling in Category-I and
INR 1070/- for countries falling in Category-1I is
required to be remitted to
Mumbai GPO only, who is
authorised to handle such orders.
Conditions
for reproduction of Stamp Images
Re- production of stamps is allowed for
illustration purposes in Philatelic Publication or
in an article relating wholly on postage stamps
which may appear in any magazine, newspaper or
publication of a general character. Such reproduction
should however , be only in black. If stamps are to
be produced in colour for publicity purposes, prior
permission of the Director General of Posts
must be obtained. To avoid similarity with the
postage , such reproduction must be distinctively in
smaller or larger sizes than the actual stamp and
must be without perforation on the edges. Further,
across bar will also be placed on one- corner of the
stamp, obliterating the denomination. It must be noted
that reproduction of the stamp in colour of the
actual size of the stamp with perforation of
the edges may be deemed to be taken as
production of the actual stamp".
Rates
for Special Cancellation/Cover
|
Departmental fees |
Old
rates for the special cancellation/cover |
Revised/enhanced rates for the special
cancellation/cover |
| Per day per Post
Office in INR |
Per day if it is
at proponent's premises in INR |
Per day per Post
Office in INR |
Per day if it is
at proponent's premises in INR |
| On working days |
1,500/- |
3,000/- |
5,000/- |
10,000/- |
| On
Sundays/holidays |
3,000/- |
6,000/- |
10,000/- |
20,000/- |
The new rate comes into
force with effect from 01-08-2010 |
Philately