Papers on Indian Philately and Postal History published in The London Philatelist, 1892-2025

Indian topics in the premier philatelic journal

This article was written for the book The Royal Philatelic Society London: Activities in India edited by Markand Dave and M.S. Santhosh, which was released at the 25th RPSL Regional Meeting at Mumbai on 21 December 2025.

It has been lightly edited and enhanced with the addition of images of some noted Indian philatelists and journals as well as extracts from the LP.

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Since its appearance in January 1892, more than 100 papers (I am considering those published in parts as a single piece) on different topics of Indian philately have appeared in the hallowed pages of The London Philatelist (LP), one of the longest continuously-running and most respected philatelic journal in the world.

Figure 1. Left: W. Renouf was a pioneer in the study of early Indian cancellations and Indian stamps used abroad. Photo printed in The Philatelic Journal of India, April 1923 on the occasion of his retirement from India. Middle: D.R. Martin is the ‘GOAT’ since he was the most versatile; he initially investigated the first issues of India and later got into researching Pakistan overprints on Indian stamps, numbers in early Indian cancellations, the postal history of the First and Second Afghan Wars and Burma, and overseas postage rates and routes from India. Right: L.E. Dawson was a specialist in the first issues of India as well as Indian States. Latter two photos from NAPEX 1965. National Philatelic Exhibition. Souvenir.

Until her independence in 1947, India was surely the most important country in the British Empire. Her key position, from a political and economic standpoint, meant that Indian philately was thriving at all levels. A number of philatelic researchers left their mark and are still remembered and admired. They were, in the main, British civil service and military officers; names like Winter Charles Renouf (1868-1954), Evelyn Arthur Smythies (1885-1975), Colonel Denys Richard Martin (1892-1970) (the ‘GOAT’ i.e. greatest Indian philatelist of all time), Lionel Edward Dawson (1887-1976), and Sir Eric Studd (1887-?) readily come to mind (Figure 1). But there were some equally proficient Indians too; Choonilal Devkaran Desai (1888/89-1948) and Jal Manekji Cooper (1908-1972) to name but two (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Left: C.D. Desai FRPSL, who studied and made new discoveries in the first issues of India. Photo from India’s Stamp Journal, March 1942. Right: Jal Cooper, philatelic dealer, researcher, and editor of India’s Stamp Journal. Photo from India’s Stamp Journal, September 1972.

After she gained freedom, philatelic research, especially within the country, may have slowed as India grappled with growing up woes. Nevertheless, devoted adherents such as Deoki Nandan Jatia (1930-2000) and Brig. Diljit Singh Virk (1914-1977) (both of whom signed the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists), Colonel Lakshman Giri Ganesh Shenoi (1915-1997) (publisher of Ind Dak), and Derek Hammond Giles (1913-2003) and Colonel Charles Neil Molesworth Blair (?-1988) (regulars in India Post) ensured that Indian philately was not left behind (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Left: D.H. Giles who pioneered the study of pre-stamp postal markings and maritime and steamer mails. Photo from Spink auction catalogue of his sale on 25 October 2025. Right: D.N. Jatia, who was interested in the first issues, especially the four anna lithographs. However, he is equally remembered for being a great philatelic leader: he founded The Philatelic Congress of India and was the first Asian President of Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP). Photo Courtesy: Facebook.

The trend continues into the present. Over the last 35 years, ever since liberalisation unleashed ‘animal spirits’, India has developed economically and is expected to become the third largest economy in the world before the decade is out. Anecdotally, increasing prosperity has resulted in a greater number of collectors, living both in India and abroad, at the mid-to-high range. The more the numbers, the better the probability that some of them might move into serious philatelic research and journalism.

The immense diversity that Indian philately offers is mind-boggling.

Consider the breadth of subjects available. To name a few: British India, India after Independence, India Used Abroad, French or Portuguese India, and not to forget what we endearingly call the ‘Uglies’ i.e. the stamps of Indian States.

In terms of depth, collector spend their lifetime specialising in stamps (proofs, essays, issued material, reprints, etc.), postal history (pre-stamps, first issues of 1854-55, travelling post offices, maritime mails, air and rocket mails, and so on), or postal markings (post office handstamps from the pre-stamp era which seems to be all the rage, stamp obliterations, forwarding agents’ stamps, and others).

Considering all of the above, it may appear strange to many that there should be only 100 or so original papers on India published over 134 years in the LP.

Figure 4. Left: The Philatelic Journal of India (Vol III No 1, January 1899). From this issue on, the journal was made available to the public; in the initial first two years, it was printed for members only. Right: India’s Stamp Journal (Vol II No 1, March 1939). Called the Philatelic Orient in its first year, the journal was soon taken over by that crusading dealer and writer, Jal Cooper, whose pen did not spare anyone he deemed harming the cause of Indian philately.

While one may be justified in so wondering, it must be noted that Indian philatelic journals have existed ever since the first one saw light of day in 1894. A few very good to excellent ones: The Philatelic Journal of India, journal of the Philatelic Society of India (which saw its first issue come out in 1897 and which was, in my opinion, the best journal in the world in its first 12 years or so); India’s Stamp Journal (the great Indian dealer Jal Cooper’s baby), Ind Dak (unpretentious but surprisingly erudite); and last but definitely not the least, India Post (journal of the India Study Circle for Philately and the go-to for topics of Indian postal history) (Figures 4 and 5). A glance at their pages reveals where most of the above mentioned gentleman got their articles of record published.

Figure 5. Left: India Post (Vol 1 No 1, January 1967), journal of the India Study Circle. The ISC had been publishing bulletins containing news and articles from 1950 before it moved to a new name and format with this issue. Right: Ind Dak (Vol 1 No 1, January 1977). The brainchild of Col. Shenoi, it was journal specialising in Indian postal history.

Nevertheless, it is gratifying to note Indian philatelic contributions in the LP has steadily risen in recent years. A perusal of the latter part of the list, which is arranged in ascending order of year of publication, makes this amply clear. Part of the reason for this may be increased willingness to share and decreased hesitation on part of contributors, especially from India. I suspect that editorial encouragement has had some role to play too. I hope the trend continues and possibly even accelerates. After all, publication in the LP guarantees him publicity and can spark greater interest amongst readers in the subject matter close to the writer’s heart.

List of Papers on Indian Subjects in LP

1. A. Smith, ‘A Visit to a Native Indian Post Office’, vol. 1, no. 3, Mar. 1892.

   

   Figure 6. A letter to the editor but also the first article on Indian philately from the third issue of The London Philatelist (March 1892).

2. A. Smith, ‘Stray Notes on Indian Post Office Service Post Cards’, vol. 4, no. 40, Apr. 1895.

3. J. A. Tilleard, ‘Notes on the De La Rue Series of the Adhesive Postage and Telegraph Stamps of India’, vol. 5, no. 51, Mar. 1896.

4. J. A. Tilleard, ‘Notes on the De La Rue Series of the Adhesive Postage and Telegraph Stamps of India’, vol. 5, no. 52, Apr. 1896.

5. J. A. Tilleard, ‘Notes on the De La Rue Series of the Adhesive Postage and Telegraph Stamps of India’, vol. 5, no. 53, May 1896.

6. J. A. Tilleard, ‘Notes on the De La Rue Series of the Adhesive Postage and Telegraph Stamps of India’, vol. 5, no. 54, June 1896.

7. J. A. Tilleard, ‘Notes on the De La Rue Series of the Adhesive Postage and Telegraph Stamps of India’, vol. 5, no. 55, July 1896.

8. M. H. Vowell, ‘Notes on the Official Correspondence As to the Early Issues of India’, vol. 15, no. 176, Aug. 1906.

9. L. L. R. Hausburg, ‘The Stamps of British India’, vol. 17, no. 195, Mar. 1908.

10. W. W. Corfield, ‘The National Stamp Collection of India’, vol. 25, no. 291, Mar. 1916.

11. L. L. R. Hausburg, ‘The Plates and Stones used in the Production of the First Stamps of British India in 1854’, vol. 25, no. 293, May 1916.

12. F. A. Bellamy, ‘Notes on India 2A Brown, 1855 and 1865 Issues’, vol. 30, no. 354, June 1921.

13. F. A. Bellamy, ‘Notes on India 2A Brown, 1855 and 1865 Issues’, vol. 30, no. 355, July 1921.

14. H. R. Oldfield, ‘The Stamps of India: Early Issues’, vol. 31, no. 369, Sept. 1922.

15. F. P. Renault, ‘The Plating of the Jaipur Provisionals of 1912’, vol. 33, no. 392, Aug. 1924.

16. W. D. Beckton, ‘Hyderabad. 1871 1 Anna of the Skeleton Type.’, vol. 36, no. 424, Apr. 1927.

17. E. A. Smythies, ‘The Half Anna Lithographed Stamps of India, 1854-55’, vol. 36, no. 428, Aug. 1927.

18. E. D. Bacon, ‘The Half-Anna Lithographed Stamps of India, 1854-1855’, vol. 39, no. 460, Apr. 1930.

19. E. D. Bacon, ‘The Half-Anna Lithographed Stamps of India, 1854-1855’, vol. 39, no. 461, May 1930.

20. E. D. Bacon, ‘The Half-Anna Lithographed Stamps of India, 1854-1855’, vol. 39, no. 462, June 1930.

21. E. D. Bacon, ‘The Half-Anna Lithographed Stamps of India, 1854-1855’, vol. 39, no. 463, July 1930.

22. E. D. Bacon, ‘The Half-Anna Lithographed Stamps of India, 1854-1855’, vol. 39, no. 464, Aug. 1930.

23. W. W. Lean, ‘The Engraver of the 1854 Issue of India Stamps’, vol. 39, no. 464, Aug. 1930.

24. E. A. Smythies, ‘India Half-Anna Lithographs, 1854-55’, vol. 39, no. 464, Aug. 1930.

25. E. A. Smythies, ‘The Four Anna Lithographed Stamps of India, 1854-55’, vol. 39, no. 466, Oct. 1930.

26. E. A. Smythies, ‘The Four Anna Lithographed Stamps of India, 1854-55’, vol. 39, no. 467, Nov. 1930.

27. E. D. Bacon, ‘The Half-Anna Stamp of India of 1854-55’, vol. 40, no. 469, Jan. 1931.

28. E. A. Smythies and D. R. Martin, ‘The Half Anna Stamps of India of 1854-55’, vol. 40, no. 473, May 1931.

29. E. A. Smythies, ‘Notes on India 1854 inverted Head’, vol. 44, no. 524, Aug. 1935.

30. D. C. Gray, ‘India 1854 2 Annas Postage Stamp’, vol. 48, no. 572, Aug. 1939.

31. E. A. Smythies, ‘Note on India 1854 inverted Head’, vol. 58, no. 677, Apr. 1949.

32. E. A. Smythies, ‘India: Four Annas Lithographs, 1854-55, the Third Printing’, vol. 58, no. 685, Dec. 1949.

33. E. Studd, ‘India: Substituted Transfers of the One Anna Red, 1854’, vol. 59, no. 689, Apr. 1950.

34. J. W. Halstead, ‘The Postmarks of Zanzibar’, vol. 60, no. 700, Mar. 1951.

35. R. Abecassis, ‘Portuguese India: 40 Reis, Type I, of 1876 (Barred V) (S.G. Nos. 47C, 50, 235A and 236)’, vol. 60, no. 707, Oct. 1951.

36. F. P. N. Parsons, ‘Combination Covers of British India and Portuguese India’, vol. 61, no. 712, Mar. 1952.

37. L. E. Dawson, ‘The Stamps of the Indian Feudatory States’, vol. 64, no. 749, Apr. 1955.

38. L. E. Dawson, ‘The Stamps of the Indian Feudatory States’, vol. 64, no. 750, May 1955.

39. L. E. Dawson, ‘The Stamps of the Indian Feudatory States’, vol. 64, no. 752, July 1955.

40. L. E. Dawson, ‘The Stamps of the Indian Feudatory States’, vol. 64, no. 753–754, Sept. 1955.

41. L. E. Dawson, ‘The Stamps of the Indian Feudatory States’, vol. 64, no. 755, Oct. 1955.

42. L. E. Dawson, ‘India: Early Covers and Cancellations’, vol. 65, no. 768, Nov. 1956.

43. L. C. Parton, ‘Indore’, vol. 67, no. 782, Jan. 1958.

44. P. C. Pratt, ‘Disparity in Length of East India Company Stamps’, vol. 70, no. 826, Oct. 1961.

45. G. Perazzo, ‘Indian Convention States An Unrecorded Variety of Patiala 1903-06’, vol. 76, no. 893, May 1967.

46. G. Perazzo, ‘Indian Convention States An Unrecorded Variety of Patiala 1903-06’, vol. 76, no. 893, May 1967.

47. J. L. R. Croft, ‘The Postal History of Aden 1839-1937’, vol. 76, no. 895, July 1967.

48. J. L. R. Croft, ‘The Postal History of Aden 1839-1937’, vol. 76, no. 896–897, Sept. 1967.

49. J. L. R. Croft, ‘The Postal History of Aden 1839-1937’, vol. 76, no. 898, Oct. 1967.

50. G. Sattin, ‘Campaigns and Field Operations Employing Indian Post Offices’, vol. 77, no. 906, June 1968.

51. G. Sattin, ‘Campaigns and Field Operations Employing Indian Post Offices’, vol. 77, no. 907, July 1968.

52. G. R. Anstee, ‘England-India-Australia Airmails’, vol. 81, no. 960, Dec. 1972.

53. R. W. Pratt, ‘Aden and Its States 1840-1954’, vol. 83, no. 979, July 1974.

54. R. W. Pratt, ‘Aden and Its States 1840-1954’, vol. 83, no. 980–981, Sept. 1974.

55. R. W. Pratt, ‘Aden and Its States 1840-1954’, vol. 83, no. 982, Oct. 1974.

56. B. M. Cartwright, ‘New Discoveries 14 - India 1 Anna on HMS Wrapper’, vol. 91, no. 1075–1076, Aug. 1982.

57. G. Sattin, ‘Field Post Offices in and from the Kurram Valley during the Second Afghan War 1878-81’, vol. 93, no. 1103–1104, Dec. 1984.

58. D. N. Jatia, ‘New Discoveries 14 - India 1 Anna on HMS Wrapper’, vol. 94, no. 1113–1114, Oct. 1985.

59. J. F. Staal, ‘Six Spellings of “Post Stamp” and Other Nawanagar Varieties’, vol. 96, no. 1129–1130, Feb. 1987.

60. J. F. Staal, ‘Six Spellings of “Post Stamp” and Other Nawanagar Varieties’, vol. 96, no. 1131–1132, Apr. 1987.

61. J. E. O. Hobbs, ‘Letters From a Private Soldier Serving in India 1857-1862’, vol. 100, no. 1179, Mar. 1991.

62. J. F. Staal, ‘The Stamp of Tonk’, vol. 100, no. 1185, Sept. 1991.

63. D. R. Holeton, ‘Jaipur 1911 Jail Press Issue: Perforated Varieties’, vol. 101, no. 1197, Sept. 1992.

64. J. F. Staal, ‘Dilemmas of Early Duttia’, vol. 101, no. 1198, Oct. 1992.

65. J. F. Staal, ‘Poonch Notes on Design and Postal History’, vol. 108, no. 1263, Mar. 1999.

66. A. Bard, ‘Punch: The Postal History’, vol. 108, no. 1270, Nov. 1999.

67. A. Parsons, ‘The Indian Postal Agencies in the Persian Gulf Area’, vol. 110, no. 1284, Apr. 2001.

68. J. F. Staal, ‘The First Three Issues of Poonch’, vol. 111, no. 1293, Mar. 2002.

69. R. Sciaky, ‘Postal History of the Napier Expedition’, vol. 112, no. 1306, June 2003.

70. G. Eibl-Kaye, ‘The Indian Mails 1814 to 1819 (Part 1) Negotiations between the Post Office and the East India Company’, vol. 113, no. 1314, Apr. 2004.

71. G. Eibl-Kaye, ‘The Indian Mails 1814 to 1819 (Part 2) Administration of the Packet Service and its Demise’, vol. 113, no. 1315, May 2004.

    

    Figure 7. One of my favourites is the two-part The Indian Mails 1814-1819 by Geoffrey Eibl-Kaye which was published in the issues of April and May 2004. It deservedly won the Tapling Medal for the best article in The London Philatelist in a single year.

72. V. Raj, ‘Stones of the Half Anna Die I Stamps of India May-July 1854’, vol. 113, no. 1318, Sept. 2004.

73. G. Eibl-Kaye, ‘Poonch Handstruck Stamp Dies’, vol. 114, no. 1323, Mar. 2005.

74. G. Eibl-Kaye, ‘Mutiny on the Packet Eclipse to India in 1815’, vol. 114, no. 1326, June 2005.

75. J. F. Staal, ‘Kotah Stamps and Postal History’, vol. 114, no. 1326, June 2005.

76. H. Gessler and B. M. Cartwright, ‘Jind Cover with Dagger Cancellation’, vol. 114, no. 1330, Nov. 2005.

77. M. J. Givans, ‘1855 First India Head - Nonconformist Engraving’, vol. 115, no. 1334, Apr. 2006.

78. P. C. Pearson, ‘Indian Expeditionary Force “D” Mesopotamia 1914-1918’, vol. 115, no. 1335, May 2006.

79. M. J. Givans, ‘1855 First India Head - Nonconformist Engraving’, vol. 115, no. 1337, Aug. 2006.

80. W. C. Hellrigl, ‘The Tête-Bêches and Semi-Tête-Bêches of Jammu and Kashmir’, vol. 115, no. 1339, Oct. 2006.

81. R. Johnson, ‘Service Suspended in China and India’, vol. 115, no. 1339, Oct. 2006.

82. J. F. Staal, ‘Shahpura Postal Fiscal History’, vol. 116, no. 1351, Dec. 2007.

83. J. F. Staal, ‘Deletion in Shahpura’, vol. 117, no. 1352, Feb. 2008.

84. M. J. Givans, ‘De La Rue’s Second India Head used on the 1861 Foreign Bill Stamps’, vol. 119, no. 1378, Sept. 2010.

85. J. F. Staal, ‘Jammu and Kashmir: One Proof Is Enough’, vol. 119, no. 1378, Sept. 2010.

86. M. Dave and P. S. Dixit, ‘Thomas Waghorn Correspondence’, vol. 119, no. 1381, Dec. 2010.

87. G. Eibl-Kaye, ‘Thomas Waghorn and the Overland Route’, vol. 120, no. 1382, Feb. 2011.

88. G. Eibl-Kaye, ‘One Pice Poonch Handstruck Stamp Die’, vol. 120, no. 1387, Aug. 2011.

89. D. R. Holeton, ‘An Unissued Jaipur Design’, vol. 121, no. 1399, Oct. 2012.

90. P. Jain, ‘India 1948 Gandhi Memorial Issue’, vol. 122, no. 1409, Oct. 2013.

91. M. Dave and P. S. Dixit, ‘India 1854 Two Anna Stamps Printed on Stamp Office “ONE ANA” Watermarked Paper’, vol. 124, no. 1422, Feb. 2015.

92. L. M. M. Moreira Barreiros and Eduardo Manuel M, ‘The “discovery” of the printing methods of the Portuguese India, “native issues” in Goa, 1871-85’, vol. 124, no. 1424, Apr. 2015.

93. U. Reddy, ‘India, First Aerial Post 1911’, vol. 124, no. 1425, May 2015.

94. P. Jain, ‘Aerial Routes between Cairo, India and Australia 1918–29’, vol. 124, no. 1428, Sept. 2015.

95. M. Dave and P. S. Dixit, ‘Danish Settlements in India’, vol. 125, no. 1437, Aug. 2016.

96. P. Phillips, ‘The Early Revenue History of Kishangarh’, vol. 125, no. 1438, Sept. 2016.

97. P. Jain, ‘Indian Air Mail Stamps – 1929’, vol. 126, no. 1446, June 2017.

98. D. Dave and M. Dave, ‘The 1929 Air Mail Stamps of India – the drawing competition’, vol. 126, no. 1448, Sept. 2017.

99. P. Jain, ‘India, 1852 Half Anna Red “Scinde Dawk”’, vol. 126, no. 1448, Sept. 2017.

100. R. S. Morel, ‘Genealogy of an Icon: Additional Information on the Design of the India 1852 Half Anna Red “Scinde Dawk”’, vol. 127, no. 1456, June 2018.

101. R. Gray and R. Maisel, ‘Indian Postal History: Volumes Posted in the Indian Post Office, 1868–1937’, vol. 128, no. 1467, Aug. 2019.

102. I. Harvey, ‘Aden: The Soldier and his Family in Rural England’, vol. 129, no. 1479, Oct. 2020.

103. C. Gregory, ‘The Abyssinian Field Force, October 1867-June 1868’, vol. 129, no. 1480, Nov. 2020.

104. A. Bard and P. Jain, ‘The Houston-Mt. Everest Expedition Flights 1933’, vol. 129, no. 1481, Dec. 2020.

105. P. Jain and A. Bard, ‘Two Letters from the Houston-Mt. Everest Expedition 1933’, vol. 130, no. 1482, Feb. 2021.

106. A. Bhuwalka, ‘The Ava Wreck and the other, unknown, William Farquhar’, vol. 130, no. 1491, Dec. 2021.

107. R. S. Morel, ‘India: Discovery of the Earliest Essay for the 1854 Stamp Issue’, vol. 131, no. 1499, Oct. 2022.

108. P. Shaw, ‘The Prince of Wales in India, 1921-22’, vol. 131, no. 1499, Oct. 2022.

109. S. Jaiswal, ‘Bahawalpur: The 52-day Sovereign Nation Period, 14 August-5 October 1947’, vol. 131, no. 1500, Nov. 2022.

110. T. Pateman, ‘Indian Departmentals’, vol. 131, no. 1501, Dec. 2022.

111. S. Jaiswal, ‘Bahawalpur: The 52-Day Sovereign Nation Period - A Follow-Up’, vol. 131, no. 1502, Feb. 2023.

112. A. Bhuwalka, ‘Ship Postage on Steam Letters at Singapore 1845-46’, vol. 132, no. 1503, Mar. 2023.

113. D. Kanabar, ‘British India: Development of the High Value Definitives 1893-1913’, vol. 132, no. 1506, June 2023.

114. D. Kanabar, ‘British India: KGV 25 Rupees Definitive, the “Missing” Designs Reunited’, vol. 132, no. 1508, Sept. 2023.

115. A. Bhattacharya, ‘The Imperial Durbar of 1877’, vol. 133, no. 1512, Feb. 2024.

116. D. Kanabar, ‘India: The Design of the Queen Victoria Head’, vol. 133, no. 1513, Mar. 2024.

117. A. Bhuwalka, ‘The Abyssinian Expedition of 1867-68: Letters to France’, vol. 133, no. 1516, June 2024.

     

     Figure 8. My own article on the Abyssinian Expedition was a co-publication with India Post.

118. A. Bohora, ‘British India: Solving the Stamped Papers’ Microprint Mystery’, vol. 133, no. 1520, Nov. 2024.

119. A. Bhuwalka, ‘Letters from Mauritius to Europe via India and Ceylon, 1843-1846 - Part 1’, vol. 134, no. 1523, Mar. 2025.

120. S. Jaiswal, ‘India: The 1908 King Edward VII Embossed Telegraph Forms’, vol. 134, no. 1523, Mar. 2025.

121. A. Bhuwalka, ‘Letters from Mauritius to Europe via India and Ceylon, 1843-1846 - Part 2’, vol. 134, no. 1524, Apr. 2025.

122. A. Bhattacharya and J. Daschaudhuri, ‘A Tale of Two “Campaigns”: Connecting the Anglo-Persian War and the Indian Uprising of 1857’, vol. 134, no. 1527, Aug. 2025.

123. D. Kanabar, ‘India 1854 ½ Anna: The Positioning of the Sheet Corner Ornaments’, vol. 134, no. 1528, Sept. 2025.

124. P. J. Kolathingal and E. P. James, ‘The Enigma of the 1949 Cochin Pictorial Issue’, vol. 134, no. 1529, Oct. 2025.

125. L. Barreiros and E. Barreiros, ‘Goa and Macao: The 60 and 50 Reis Rates Applied in Lisbon to Covers Sent Via Gibraltar - A Clarification’, vol. 134, no. 1530, Nov. 2025.

126. M. Dave, ‘India 1935: Stephen Smith’s Livestock Rocket Mail Experiment. The Journey of “Adam” and “Eve”.’, vol. 134, no. 1531, Dec. 2025.