THE MOST FAMOUS INDIA 1948 GANDHI MEMORIAL STAMPS
The Government of India issued a set of 4 commemorative stamps on 15th August, 1948 - first anniversary of
independence as a tribute to the father of the nation MAHATMA GANDHI (BAPU). These were the first
commemorative stamps of Independent India issued in 4 denominations – 1 ½ As., 3 ½ As., 12 As. and Rs.10, and
incidentally the only set of stamps printed outside India after independence. “COURVOISER S.A.,LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS
of Geneva printed the set.
Denomination
Colour
Quantity Printed
Plate/Control Number
11/2As
31/2As
12As
10Rs
Sepia brown
25,000,000
A1,A3,A4,A5,A6,B1,B3,B4,B5,B6,12, 22
Bluish purple
02,500,000
A1, A2, B1, B2
Dark green
03,750,000
A1, A2, B1, B2
Reddish brown
00250,000
A11, B1, B11
Total Nos. of Stamps Printed 31,500,000
India 1948 Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Stamps Overprinted ‘Specimen’
Very few sets (Presumably upto 200 number) of all four value were overprinted ‘Specimen’. Those were
affixed in a black velvet folder with golden card inside, and distributed to the delegate member attended a
conference on communication at France (Europe)
India 1948 Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Stamps Overprinted ‘Service’:
Later on at the instance of some high ranking officials of the Government, very small quantities of the Gandhi stamps
in all the 4 denomination were overprinted " SERVICE" at Nasik Security Printing Press for the exclusive use on the
official mails of the Secretariat of the Governor General C. Rajagopalachari. Only 100 Stamps of Rs.10 were
overprinted SERVICE, making it the most valuable rarity of George VI era. These issue stands as the most popular issue
of Post independent India and among the philatelic fraternity throughout the world.
THE MOST FAMOUS RAREITY OF GEORGE VI - ERA
According to Jal Cooper the following quantities of each denomination were overprinted “Service”
Denomination
Quantity Printed
1 ½ as
3 ½ as
12as
10 Rs.
15,950 stamps or 319 sheets (50 stamps in a sheet)
1350 stamps or 27 sheets (50 stamps in a sheet)
250 stamps or 5 sheets (50 stamps in a sheet)
100 stamps or 2 sheets (50 stamps in a sheet)
Plate / Control Number,
Imprinted in each sheet
A4, A6 , B6
A2, B2
A1
A11
10 Rs. Ovpt. ‘Service’ one Full sheet number 033404 is in the National Philatelic Museum and another 10 Rs
ovpt. ‘Service’ Single fine mint example have sheet No. 033403 is in the private collection, both photo
attach. These two sheets number confirm only 100 stamps (50 stamp each sheet) were overprinted ‘Service’.
The earliest information provided by Veteran philatelist C. N. Chandra I.C.S. published in the July 1951 issue
of the “Philatelic Journal of India” that the overprinting was done by the Nasik Security Press and were
brought into use on the 13th August 1949 and remained in use until 31st January 1950. In a later issue of
the magazine the date of 13th August was revised to be 15th August and the year to 1948. I have an
example of one such cover dt.17th August 1948.
The Director General Post and Telegraph India was supplied one full sheet of each denomination and a strip
of 5 of each for display in the Philately museum. The block of 4 four of each was supplied to the Royal
collection confirmed by the John Marriot keeper of Royal collection in September 1986.
The multiple mint examples of these issues are known to exist for 1 ½ As. and 12 As only. Multiples Mint
examples of 3½ As. not seen. The Rs. 10 Gandhi ‘SERVICE’ is extremely difficult to find as only less than 15
stamp within Philatelic Fraternity which keeps on changing hand. Shri S. P. Chatterjea, Past President PCI
made a list of Rs. 10. Gandhi ‘Service’ in India and abroad. The values of these stamps have greatly
appreciated in recent years since 1971. Although the multiples of 1 ½ as denomination are still available but
those of 3½ as and 12 as are extremely rare. These multiples naturally carry high premium on them. The
most the Gandhi Service set found in Mint hinged condition. The unmounted Mint full set of 4 value is the
rarest in all.
Even more rare are the postally used covers bearing these stamps. It appears most of the covers were
destroyed after saving a part. Only few 1½ as covers, two 3½ as covers and two registered airmail cover
bearing 11/2 as. and 12 as. are known to exist. Whether Rs. 10 exists on cover is still to be discovered. All
copies of SERVICE overprints are postmarked Governor – General Camp P.O. and lesser-known hand stamps,
of the President Camp P.O. also found.
However, another story that emerged was the then Governor General of India Shri. Raja Gopalachari came
up with a novel idea to sell these official stamps at double the face value, and the proceeds from it to be
transferred for the relief of Harijans (backward caste). Philatelists were thus able to obtain copies of these
stamp at a premium of 100% over the face value.
The only known example with Sheet Number in private hand
The complete sheet of Rs. 10 ‘Service’ in the National Philatelic Museum New Delhi